Senate minority: Majority rushing rule change for members with raps?

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate minority bloc on Tuesday night questioned whether a proposed voting rule was being rushed to benefit the absent Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and other members of the majority facing plunder allegations.

This came after Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano moved to vote on whether Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal allowing online voting during sessions should already be discussed in plenary, despite it not having been taken up in a Senate panel and amid an already heated debate over the proposal.

Earlier in the day, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that plunder cases would be filed against majority senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada.

Marcoleta first submitted the proposed amendments on May 11, after which they were referred to the Rules Committee. Despite the absence of a hearing, the proposal was later taken up in plenary, prompting questions from minority Sen. Panfilo Lacson.