SENATOR Raffy Tulfo revealed on Monday that two members of the majority bloc could potentially move to the minority ranks, expressing dissatisfaction over a proposal to amend Senate rules and allow lawmakers to join plenary sessions remotely.
In an interview on Unang Balita, Tulfo observed the behavior of his colleagues during recent debates and noticed clear signs of disagreement. “If you observed the demeanor of some senators in the majority during the commotion, some of them were not happy,” he said. “Their actions and demeanor suggested they did not agree with what was happening. Those may be the two who would transfer.” When pressed to name the individuals, Tulfo declined, saying he did not know their identities at this stage.
The political balance in the Senate remains very tight, with the minority currently composed of 11 members and the majority holding an effective count of 12.
However, the majority’s strength is already compromised because Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has gone into hiding following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Tulfo emphasized that the slightest shift in numbers could drastically alter the chamber’s leadership and direction, especially given how narrow the gap between the two sides has become.
According to Tulfo, the minority bloc stands united and continues to support Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for the Senate presidency, positioning itself as a cohesive alternative to the current leadership. He noted that the majority’s advantage is now extremely fragile, making a change in leadership highly probable in the near future. “Their numbers are very thin, so there’s a big possibility he could be replaced sooner or later,” Tulfo stated, referring to incumbent Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
The proposed rule change allowing virtual participation has become a major point of contention, highlighting deeper divisions within the majority regarding how the Senate should operate.
Tulfo’s observations suggest that internal disagreements are growing, and the dissatisfaction shown by some lawmakers indicates that the ruling alliance may be more unstable than previously thought. Should the two senators follow through with their plan to switch sides, the minority could gain the upper hand, fundamentally shifting the power dynamics and potentially paving the way for a new Senate leadership.
