THE Senate did not hold its scheduled session on Monday after all members of the majority bloc failed to attend, following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada over a non‑bailable plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks and irregularities in flood control projects.
Under the chamber’s schedule set during adjournment on May 26, proceedings were supposed to begin at 5:00 p.m., but by that time, only members of the minority bloc were present inside the session hall. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano was notably absent as well; he proceeded directly to Camp Crame, where Estrada was brought for processing after being taken into custody — an event that became the subject of contrasting accounts, with Estrada saying he surrendered voluntarily and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stating he was formally arrested.
By late afternoon, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri of the minority said he had verified with the Senate secretary’s office and confirmed that no prior notice or explanation had been submitted by the majority regarding their absence.
The minority senators remained in the chamber and waited until past 7:00 p.m. before finally leaving. Expressing frustration over the development, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian raised the possibility of filing an ethics complaint, stressing that the move violated Senate rules.
“We are definitely looking into this — there was clearly a violation. You cannot simply cancel a session without informing both the majority and the minority. First and foremost, this is a breach of procedure because sessions cannot be suspended or cancelled without proper consultation,” Gatchalian emphasized.
Important legislative and confirmation matters were left unattended due to the cancellation. Zubiri pointed out that the Commission on Appointments was set to act on the promotions of senior military officers to star rank, appointments that are time‑sensitive and risk being delayed.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also noted that bills granting Filipino citizenship to foreign recruits Matthew Ramos and Bennie Boatwright, intended to strengthen national sports teams, were scheduled for third and final reading. “We have two or three bills ready for approval today. These are important measures, and the affected athletes were even present here,” Pangilinan said, while Zubiri added that failure to convene would be unfair to the officers awaiting confirmation.
In a statement released Monday evening, Senate President Cayetano appealed to the 11‑member minority bloc to “uphold the Senate’s independence” amid the turmoil triggered by Estrada’s arrest.
“The Senate is a co‑equal branch of government. It is not a prize to be claimed by anyone… I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: Will you stand for the Senate’s independence? ” Cayetano said. He acknowledged political differences but insisted that internal matters should remain within the Senate’s jurisdiction. “No matter our disagreements, we must all agree that it is the Senate’s own business to settle. This chamber answers to God and the people who sent us here, and to no one outside these walls,” he added, while also urging the minority to help prevent partisan politics from dictating the chamber’s direction.
The latest incident comes just days after the minority walked out of the plenary last Tuesday in protest over a proposal to amend Senate rules and allow remote participation in sessions.
Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo criticized the majority’s absence, drawing a comparison with ordinary public servants. “If regular government workers are suspended or dismissed for being absent without leave, should it be any different for us? Do we face no penalties at all? We receive our salaries from public funds — we ought to be ashamed for not showing up for work,” Tulfo remarked, underscoring the growing public concern over the Senate’s ability to fulfill its mandate amid deepening political divisions.
