Rappler Cam: Senate majority no-show so far at scheduled plenary session

[56:20] I'm Patrick Cruz and you're watching Rappler. So, nandito tayo live sa Senado. Supposedly, 5 p.m. mag-start dapat yung session. [56:29] At ngayon, hindi pa rin ito nag-start kasi yung mga members of the majority block ay hanggang ngayon wala pa rin dito. [56:36] So, to have a quorum, kailangan 13 members ng Senado at least yung nandito. Pero ang nandito lamang ay yung mga members of the majority block. [56:45] So, kanina, nakita natin lumapit si Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales to some members of the majority of the minority block. [56:56] Although we didn't know kung ano yung napag-usapan nila briefly and perhaps you can have a rundown of people here in the plenary. [57:04] So, here in the plenary is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. So, again, I'm Patrick Cruz and you're watching Rappler. [59:33] Live tayo ngayon dito sa Senado. At yung nakita nyo ay walang nangyayari sa session ngayon dahil wala yung mga members of the majority block. [59:41] So, nandito lamang ay yung mga 11-member minority Senators. So, without a caucus or at least 13 dapat yung mga Senador na present dito. [59:53] Pero dahil nga walang 13 na Senador, at least 13 na Senador dito ay hindi sila makapag-start ng session. [1:00:02] Supposedly, at 5 p.m. start na yung session pero at least 6.14 p.m. na ay wala pa rin nangyayari. [1:00:10] So, kanina nilapitan ni Sen. Secretary Jose Luis Montales, yung ilang members of the minority, although hindi natin sure kung ano yung napag-usapan kanina. [1:00:22] So, kanina rin nakapanayam natin si Sen. Migsabiri and Kiko Pangilinan saying na mag-iintay sila doon sa mga members of the minority or majority na maging present dito sa Senado. [1:00:39] So, bakit nga ba wala yung mga members of the majority block? We have yet to receive an official explanation from them. [1:00:47] Pero, we know for sure na yung absence nila ay kasunod ng pag-aresto sa another member of the majority, Sen. Jingo Estrada, for his plunder and graft cases. [1:00:59] So, we can have a rundown of sino nga ba yung mga nandito na Senador. Nakikita ko dito, Sen. Wien Gachalian, Sen. Bamakino, Sen. Migsabiri, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Erwin Tulfo. [1:01:19] Kanina, andito re-invisible si Sen. Risa Ontiveros. So, kanina nga rin, noticeably, before 6 p.m., medyo uminit dito sa Senado, sa plenary, literally, dahil pinatay yung aircon. [1:01:38] So, nakita natin yung ila nagpapaypay dahil nga sobrang inet. And also, some staff of the members of the majority are nowhere to be found here beside the plenary. [1:01:54] Yung ila nakita na rin natin nagsisialisan. So, bakit nga ba or in the past few days napansin natin na naging magulo yung Senado? [1:02:07] So, that started with the May 11 coup kung saan pinatalsek si Tito Soto bilang Senate President and then followed by at na-install a Senate President si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with the backing of the Duterte Block. [1:02:28] And the following that, there has been a series of commotion. Nagpakita si Sen. Bato de la Rosa to support yung coup. [1:02:40] So, nakikita niyo nang ngayon sa feed natin, umaalis yung ilang mga Senador, Sen. Lapid, Sen. Gatualian, Sen. Bamaquino. [1:02:51] Bakang pupunta sila sa likod para doon sa holding area ng session room. [1:03:00] So, we're now seeing Sen. Bamaquino talking with Sen. Secretary Jose Luis Montales. [1:03:09] So, as of 6.17 p.m., we can see na vacant na yung plenary. [1:03:25] Wala tayong nakikitang Senador. [1:03:28] Well, ando doon pala sa likod si Sen. Kiko Pangilinan talking with some members or some guests in the plenary. [1:03:37] So, yeah. Going back, it has been a chaotic. [1:03:55] So, yeah. Going back, so far, naging magulo nga yung Senado in the past few weeks following installation. [1:04:03] Sen. President Alan Peter Cayetano nagkaroon ng barilan noong May 13. [1:04:11] And following that, nagkaroon ng girian sa pagitan ng minority and majority block. [1:04:18] So, last week lang, nagkaroon ng walkout yung members of the minority questioning yung pag-defend ng members of the majority doon sa push na iamag yung Senate rules to allow yung mga senators under justifiable reasons na bumoto or samali sa session online. [1:04:42] And some members of the majority or minority block rather questioned this proposal saying na near railroad o minamadali yung proseso at maliraw yung pagtalakay ng suggestion na ito dito sa plenario. [1:04:59] And medyo naging straightforward in Sen. Erwin Gatchalian that time, he asked kung bakit daw ba minamadali ng majority block yung amendment na ito. [1:05:11] Ang tanong niya, dahil nga ba raw, para ito doon sa balita na yung ilang members of the majority ay makukulong daw that weekend or that week, and that week is now. [1:05:28] So, nabalitaan niya natin kanina na si Sen. Jingo Estrada ay inaresto dito sa Senado. [1:05:39] Nagkaroon siya ng maikling press briefing kanina. [1:05:42] At sinabi niya na during that press briefing, well, there's a denial na he's not involved in any graft or plunder. [1:05:50] And that walang basis yung complaint against him, but then he reiterated and vowed that he will remain member of the majority block. [1:06:04] Well, in the past few weeks then, since na-installed si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano bilang Sen. President, [1:06:12] nagkaroon din ng ilang ugong-ugong o rumor na papalitan siya ni, or magkaharoon ng bagong Senate President at magkaharoon ng kulita. [1:06:29] So, ayun, this was dismissed by Sen. Cayetano na propaganda lang ito. [1:06:38] At ang ini-insist niya na first time daw in a long time that there would be supposedly, quote-unquote, an independent majority na walang guidance or walang ties with the administration or the Marcos administration. [1:06:57] Itong series of events na ito ay mahalaga o parang konektado rin dun sa isang impending trial of Vice President Sarah Duterte dito sa Senado. [1:07:13] So, the Senate will have an important role in deciding the fate of the Vice President and deciding whether he's guilty or not of the complaints against her about the impeachment. [1:07:27] So, ang criticism dito sa majority block ay that they took over power or the Senate presidency para makontrol yung trial ni Vice President Sarah Duterte. [1:07:44] Because noticeably, these senators, members ng majority block, in one way or another, is linked to, or are linked to the Duterte family, [1:07:59] either the father, Rodrigo Duterte, the former president, who is now detained in The Hague, and then the Vice President, Sarah Duterte. [1:08:08] Although that constantly dinedenay ito ng mga members of the majority, but we can't deny the fact yung ties between the two or the Duterte camp or the majority senators and the Duterte family. [1:08:31] So, again, you're watching Rappler so far. [1:08:37] Kung makikita nyo, wala ng senador na nandito sa plenary. [1:08:43] So, kanina nakita natin si Senator Kiko Pangilinan. [1:08:49] He was the last one to leave. [1:08:51] Although, nakita natin yung direction na pinuntahan nila ay doon sa conference room, kung saan, or yung holding room ng mga senador, [1:09:03] sa likod lamang ito ng restroom, kung saan naupo yung mga Senate Secretary, Senate Sergeant at Arms, at yung Senate President. [1:09:14] Again, you're watching Rapplers around 6.23 p.m. na, and hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nag-start yung session. [1:09:25] 5 p.m. dapat yung simpula neto, pero hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin dahil nga dun sa absence ng members of the majority block. [1:09:37] So, kanina ang nandito lamang, again, yung mga members of the minority, yung 11-member minority senators, nagpunta lamang sila doon sa likod ng session. [1:09:56] So, so far rin muna yung updates mula dito sa Senado. [1:10:00] I'm Patrick Cruz, and stay tuned here in our live coverage of the Senate. [1:12:55] So, I'm Patrick Cruz, we're now live here in the Philippine Senate. [1:20:58] What you're seeing now is the plenary, or the session hall, and you can see na walang mga senador ang nandito ngayon sa session hall. [1:21:09] Well, kanina, nandito yung members of the minority block, pumunta lang sila doon sa lounge area, or doon sa holding room, holding room area. [1:21:21] So, bakit nga ba wala dito yung mga members of the majority block? [1:21:28] So, kanina, ang nandito lamang ay yung mga members of the minority block, and yung mga members of the majority block ay wala nga dito. [1:21:40] So, kanina, bago yung session, ay inaresto yung another member of the majority block, Sen. Jingoy Estrada. [1:21:49] And then, kanina rin, during the press con, bago siya nagpa-aresto sa PNP-CIDG, [1:21:57] ay kasama niya, Sen. President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Aimee Marcos, at Sen. Rodante Marcoleta. [1:22:05] So, kanina, sinamahan din siya ng Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano pumunta sa Camp Krame, [1:22:17] doon kung saan nga siya dinala after na itong maikling press briefing. [1:22:25] So, kung makikita nyo, again, walang tao dito sa session hall, at 5pm dapat start yung session, [1:22:35] pero 6.36pm na, pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nag-start. [1:22:40] Para kasi mag-start, kinakailangan na merong at least 13 members dito sa session hall. [1:22:47] Pero, given nga yung absence sa members of the majority, ay 11 lamang yung nandito, [1:22:55] which are the members of the minority block. [1:23:00] So, it has been a chaotic week or weeks dito sa Senado. [1:23:08] So, since the installment of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano nung May 11, [1:23:13] nagpakita si Sen. Bato de la Rosa, nakita natin na kumakaragpas siya ng takbo [1:23:19] if trying to evade the NBI personnel who is trying to serve a warrant of arrest [1:23:26] for his alleged crimes against humanity from the International Criminal Court. [1:23:33] This is in relation to the drug war during the Rodrigo Luterte administration, [1:23:38] kung saan siya yung Philippine National Police Chief. [1:23:44] And then, that commotion was followed by a shootout here in the Senate noong May 13. [1:23:50] And during that shootout, it happened between the members of the NBI and Senate security. [1:24:01] This include the Senate Sergeant at Arms, mga Navy, na detailed dito sa Senado. [1:24:08] So, after nga nung shootout na yun, [1:24:14] ay nagkaroon din ng... [1:24:17] After that, yung kasunod na yun ay tumakas nga sa Sen. Bato de la Rosa [1:24:25] during the wee hours or lagpas madaling araw, [1:24:31] kinabukasan nung barilan. [1:24:34] And some questioned yung shootout or yung shooting incident na yun [1:24:38] dahil baharaw stage ito para maharaw makatakas si Sen. Bato de la Rosa. [1:24:45] Because during his stay here in the Senate, [1:24:49] he was assured by Sen. President Alan Peter Cayetano [1:24:53] na he will be under protective custody of the Senate [1:24:59] and that Alan Peter Cayetano wouldn't allow the International Criminal Court [1:25:05] na maaresto si Sen. Bato [1:25:08] within the premises of the Senate. [1:25:11] So, since then, [1:25:16] nagkaroon ng mainit na sagutan yung members of the Majority and Minority Block, [1:25:24] yung ugong-ugong na palitan or [1:25:27] another Senate coup para patalsikant si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano [1:25:33] ay tuminde rin nung mga panahon na yun and until now. [1:25:37] Actually, today, we've heard na meron nga supposedly [1:25:43] na another Senate coup at isa nga doon sa inaay na install as Senate President [1:25:52] ay si Sen. Wynn Gatchalian. [1:25:55] We heard from the members of the minority [1:25:58] na sinusuportahan nila si Sen. Wynn [1:26:02] as a candidate for Senate Presidency [1:26:05] and during one of the hearings in the plenary, [1:26:10] we heard Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano jokingly said [1:26:13] na he will to vouch or vote for Sen. Wynn quote-unquote one day. [1:26:21] So, yung mga criticism about Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano [1:26:31] na questioning his leadership on how he handles the Senate [1:26:38] ay most of the time dinidismiss lang ni Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano [1:26:44] as paka na lamang ng mga political operator. [1:26:49] So, there's that. [1:26:51] But also, during the series of sessions [1:26:59] or the press briefing with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, [1:27:01] there's a recognition na his Senate Presidency wouldn't be long [1:27:08] and that yung messaging niya most of the time [1:27:11] ay ipinagpapa sa Diyos siya na lang [1:27:14] if tatagal ba siya as Senate President. [1:27:18] So, he said na nakadepende na lang sa Diyos [1:27:22] kung magtatagal siya or hindi. [1:27:24] If it's God's will, bahala na raw si Lord. [1:27:29] So, parang ganun yung messaging niya during the press briefing. [1:27:36] So, there's that recognition na merong threat sa kanyang Senate Presidency. [1:27:43] In the past few days, we've also heard from members of the minority [1:27:49] like Sen. Laxon and Sen. Irwin Tulfo [1:27:55] na merong some members of the majority bloc [1:27:59] na unsatisfied doon sa leadership ni Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. [1:28:06] Given nga yung series of commotion, [1:28:08] yung barilan, bugbugan sa Senado, [1:28:11] yung pagtaasan ng bosses, [1:28:13] and recently, last week, [1:28:15] yung pag-walk out ng members of the minority [1:28:18] kung saan nag-walk out sila [1:28:23] dahil kunaikwasyon nila yung pamamahala [1:28:25] ng Senado [1:28:28] kung paano tinake up yung suggestion ni Sen. Marco Letta [1:28:32] na i-amend yung Senate rules [1:28:36] at hayaan yung mga Senador [1:28:38] under justifiable reasons, quote-unquote, [1:28:41] na bumoto or mag-participate sa session online [1:28:46] kahit na under justifiable reasons, no? [1:28:52] Pero, there's already an existing rule [1:28:54] na under force majeure or national emergency [1:28:57] ina-allow itong online participation [1:29:01] kagaya ng pandemic. [1:29:02] So, some Senators are questioning [1:29:04] bakit kailangan pa ng gantong policy [1:29:07] na under justifiable reasons [1:29:11] ay payagan yung Senador [1:29:13] na samali sa session online. [1:29:19] So, ayun, naging direct yung question [1:29:23] ni Sen. Erwin Tulfo [1:29:26] pagdating doon sa amendment [1:29:28] na itinutulak ni Sen. Rodante Marco Letta. [1:29:32] So, yung tanong niya [1:29:34] addressing the presiding officer [1:29:40] that time, Sen. Loren Legarda, [1:29:42] ay para raw ba yung online session rule [1:29:47] ay mag-benefit yung mga members [1:29:50] or of the majority [1:29:52] na kumakaharap sa issue ng corruption [1:29:57] or legal cases [1:29:59] na supposedly [1:30:00] merong pending case [1:30:03] na pwedeng magpakulong sa kanila. [1:30:06] And the following week [1:30:09] we found out [1:30:11] na that Sen. Jinggoy [1:30:13] well, Friday pa lamang [1:30:14] nagkaroon ng kaso nga na final [1:30:16] kay Sen. Jinggoy [1:30:19] nag-issue ng warrant of arrest [1:30:21] for Sen. Jinggoy [1:30:23] for his plunder case. [1:30:25] Well, that case is billable [1:30:27] so, that [1:30:29] nung Friday [1:30:30] hindi pa nakulong Sen. Jinggoy [1:30:32] but today [1:30:33] we're expecting him [1:30:35] to be in jail [1:30:36] kasi yung warrant of arrest [1:30:37] for him [1:30:38] is for gaffe [1:30:39] which is non-bailable offense. [1:30:45] So, ayun [1:30:47] kanina nga [1:30:48] nandito Sen. Jinggoy [1:30:50] at tinala siya [1:30:51] doon sa [1:30:52] Camp Krami [1:30:54] so, before siya dalhin doon [1:30:56] ay nag-hold muna siya [1:30:57] ng maikling press briefing [1:30:59] kumarap siya sa media [1:31:01] and doon sa [1:31:03] simulong room [1:31:04] or doon sa [1:31:05] press conference room [1:31:06] ay kasama niya [1:31:07] si Sen. President [1:31:09] Alan Peter Cayetano [1:31:10] and Sen. [1:31:13] Aimee Marcos [1:31:15] Sen. Rodante Marcoleta [1:31:16] both [1:31:17] or this [1:31:19] individuals [1:31:20] are all [1:31:20] part of [1:31:21] the majority block [1:31:23] or kaalyado [1:31:23] ni Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. [1:31:26] So, [1:31:27] kanina during the [1:31:28] press briefing [1:31:29] Sen. Jinggoy [1:31:30] he claimed [1:31:31] na yung [1:31:32] yung [1:31:34] kaso against him [1:31:35] is political [1:31:36] he claimed [1:31:38] also [1:31:38] na yung [1:31:39] pag-file [1:31:40] daw ng [1:31:40] kaso sa kanya [1:31:41] ay [1:31:42] isang [1:31:44] yun nga [1:31:46] political [1:31:47] at [1:31:47] meron daw [1:31:48] lumapit [1:31:50] sa kanya [1:31:50] na offering [1:31:51] to abandon [1:31:54] the [1:31:54] Senate [1:31:55] majority [1:31:56] and [1:31:57] so that [1:31:58] his cases [1:31:59] will be [1:32:00] dismissed [1:32:00] although [1:32:01] hindi [1:32:01] niya [1:32:01] pinangalanan [1:32:02] kung sino [1:32:03] yung [1:32:03] nag-offer [1:32:03] na yun [1:32:04] we have [1:32:05] yet to [1:32:05] verify [1:32:06] that [1:32:06] report [1:32:07] so [1:32:08] ayun [1:32:10] and then [1:32:12] during the [1:32:12] press briefing [1:32:13] he also [1:32:14] maintained [1:32:15] or vowed [1:32:16] na he will [1:32:17] remain [1:32:17] he will [1:32:19] remain as part [1:32:20] of the [1:32:20] majority block [1:32:22] and then [1:32:23] yun nga [1:32:24] kanina [1:32:24] nung [1:32:25] nung [1:32:27] umalis [1:32:27] siya [1:32:28] ay kasama [1:32:28] niya [1:32:28] si [1:32:29] Senate [1:32:29] President [1:32:30] Allen [1:32:30] Peter [1:32:30] Cayetano [1:32:31] nung [1:32:33] umalis [1:32:34] din siya [1:32:34] nakita [1:32:35] natin [1:32:35] na bumaba [1:32:36] si [1:32:36] Senator [1:32:37] Camille [1:32:37] Villar [1:32:38] although [1:32:39] and [1:32:39] Senator [1:32:40] Aimee [1:32:40] Marcos [1:32:41] sunundan [1:32:41] si [1:32:41] Senator [1:32:42] Jingo [1:32:42] Estrada [1:32:43] although [1:32:43] we're [1:32:43] not [1:32:44] sure [1:32:44] if [1:32:45] kasama [1:32:46] silang [1:32:47] sumunod [1:32:47] dito [1:32:48] sa [1:32:48] Camp [1:32:49] Krame [1:32:49] so [1:32:51] ayun [1:32:52] it's [1:32:53] past [1:32:54] 6pm [1:32:55] 6.46 [1:32:56] na [1:32:56] at mag [1:32:57] 7pm [1:32:58] na [1:32:58] halos [1:32:59] dalawang [1:33:00] oras [1:33:00] na yung [1:33:01] nakalipa [1:33:01] simula [1:33:02] yun [1:33:02] nagsimula [1:33:03] yung [1:33:04] session [1:33:04] at 5pm [1:33:05] but still [1:33:06] wala pa rin [1:33:08] galaw [1:33:09] dito sa [1:33:10] session [1:33:11] hall [1:33:11] kung nakikita [1:33:12] nyo [1:33:13] bakante [1:33:13] pa rin [1:33:13] yung mga [1:33:14] upuan [1:33:14] sa [1:33:16] Ross [1:33:17] room [1:33:17] nakikita [1:33:17] natin [1:33:18] si [1:33:18] Senate [1:33:20] Secretary [1:33:20] Luis [1:33:21] Montales [1:33:22] na [1:33:24] nakikipag-usap [1:33:25] dun sa [1:33:25] mga [1:33:25] ilang [1:33:26] members [1:33:26] or [1:33:27] staff [1:33:28] of [1:33:28] the [1:33:28] Senate [1:33:29] again [1:33:31] kanina [1:33:31] nakapanayam [1:33:32] natin [1:33:33] si [1:33:33] Senator [1:33:34] Migg [1:33:36] Zabiri [1:33:37] and [1:33:37] Senator [1:33:38] Kiko [1:33:38] Pangilinan [1:33:39] and [1:33:39] they said [1:33:40] na [1:33:40] they [1:33:41] will [1:33:41] stay [1:33:42] here [1:33:43] in the [1:33:43] session [1:33:43] hall [1:33:45] at [1:33:46] mag-iintay [1:33:46] dun sa [1:33:47] mga [1:33:47] members [1:33:48] of the [1:33:48] majority [1:33:49] block [1:33:49] nung [1:33:51] nakausap [1:33:51] natin [1:33:52] sila [1:33:52] around [1:33:52] 5.30pm [1:33:54] pa lang [1:33:54] nun [1:33:54] and [1:33:55] sabi nila [1:33:56] there's [1:33:57] too much [1:33:57] time [1:33:58] to wait [1:33:59] for them [1:34:00] so [1:34:00] mag-iintay [1:34:01] rao sila [1:34:02] although [1:34:02] si [1:34:03] Senator [1:34:04] Migg [1:34:04] Zabiri [1:34:05] he [1:34:05] expressed [1:34:06] somehow [1:34:06] a [1:34:07] disappointment [1:34:08] na [1:34:08] nadidelay [1:34:09] yung [1:34:10] session [1:34:10] ng [1:34:11] Senado [1:34:12] dahil [1:34:12] na [1:34:13] they [1:34:14] will [1:34:14] supposedly [1:34:15] tackle [1:34:16] some [1:34:16] important [1:34:17] measures [1:34:17] today [1:34:19] and [1:34:19] since [1:34:20] wala [1:34:20] nga [1:34:21] yung [1:34:21] majority [1:34:21] senators [1:34:22] hindi sila [1:34:22] makapag-start [1:34:23] again [1:34:24] just [1:34:24] a brief [1:34:25] background [1:34:26] para [1:34:26] makapag-start [1:34:27] ng [1:34:27] session [1:34:28] kinakailangan [1:34:29] merong [1:34:29] quorum [1:34:30] ano ba yung [1:34:31] quorum [1:34:31] so [1:34:32] dapat [1:34:32] merong [1:34:33] at least [1:34:33] 13 [1:34:34] members [1:34:34] of the [1:34:34] senate [1:34:35] yung [1:34:35] senators [1:34:36] yung [1:34:37] nandito [1:34:37] pero [1:34:39] given nga [1:34:39] na [1:34:40] 11 [1:34:40] member [1:34:41] senators [1:34:41] lamang [1:34:42] yung [1:34:43] present [1:34:44] kanina [1:34:44] dito [1:34:45] sa [1:34:45] session [1:34:45] hall [1:34:46] ay [1:34:46] hindi [1:34:47] sila [1:34:47] makapag-start [1:34:48] sa [1:34:49] wala [1:34:49] rin [1:34:50] yung [1:34:50] senate [1:34:50] president [1:34:51] na [1:34:51] supposedly [1:34:52] mag-open [1:34:53] ng [1:34:53] session [1:34:54] at [1:34:54] mag-prepreside [1:34:55] ng [1:34:55] session [1:34:55] center [1:34:57] lauren [1:34:58] legarda [1:34:58] who [1:34:59] also [1:34:59] access [1:35:00] presiding [1:35:02] officer [1:35:02] from [1:35:03] time [1:35:03] to [1:35:03] time [1:35:04] ay [1:35:04] wala [1:35:04] rin [1:35:05] dito [1:35:05] as [1:35:06] of [1:35:06] now [1:35:07] we [1:35:07] have [1:35:07] yet [1:35:07] to [1:35:08] hear [1:35:08] words [1:35:09] from [1:35:09] the [1:35:10] members [1:35:10] of [1:35:10] the [1:35:11] majority [1:35:11] block [1:35:12] kung [1:35:13] bakit [1:35:14] nga [1:35:14] ba [1:35:14] wala [1:35:18] dito [1:35:19] yung [1:35:19] members [1:35:20] of [1:35:20] the [1:35:20] majority [1:35:21] so [1:35:23] okay [1:35:24] just [1:35:25] now [1:35:25] we [1:35:26] received [1:35:26] a [1:35:28] statement [1:35:28] from [1:35:30] senate [1:35:30] president [1:35:31] alan [1:35:32] peter [1:35:32] quietano [1:35:33] and [1:35:33] let me [1:35:33] read it [1:35:34] it's [1:35:35] addressed [1:35:36] in [1:35:36] the [1:35:36] members [1:35:37] of [1:35:37] the [1:35:37] minority [1:35:38] so [1:35:40] here's [1:35:41] the [1:35:42] statement [1:35:42] of [1:35:42] senator [1:35:43] alan [1:35:45] peter [1:35:46] quietano [1:35:46] to [1:35:47] my [1:35:47] colleagues [1:35:47] in [1:35:48] the [1:35:48] minority [1:35:48] the [1:35:49] senate [1:35:50] is [1:35:50] co-equal [1:35:50] branch [1:35:51] of [1:35:51] the [1:35:51] government [1:35:51] it [1:35:52] is [1:35:52] not [1:35:53] priced [1:35:53] to [1:35:53] be [1:35:53] claimed [1:35:54] by [1:35:54] anyone [1:35:55] events [1:35:56] of [1:35:56] the [1:35:56] past [1:35:56] few [1:35:57] days [1:35:57] may [1:35:58] have [1:35:58] blurred [1:35:58] this [1:35:59] distinction [1:35:59] but [1:36:00] what [1:36:00] happened [1:36:01] with [1:36:01] one [1:36:01] of [1:36:01] our [1:36:02] colleagues [1:36:02] today [1:36:02] brings [1:36:03] it [1:36:03] sharply [1:36:04] back [1:36:04] into [1:36:04] focus [1:36:05] that [1:36:06] we [1:36:07] defer [1:36:07] on [1:36:07] leadership [1:36:07] of [1:36:08] the [1:36:08] senate [1:36:08] is [1:36:08] not [1:36:08] question [1:36:09] and [1:36:10] it [1:36:10] is [1:36:10] fair [1:36:10] point [1:36:11] of [1:36:11] discussion [1:36:11] but [1:36:12] no [1:36:13] matter [1:36:13] our [1:36:13] disagreements [1:36:14] we [1:36:14] must [1:36:15] all [1:36:15] agree [1:36:15] that [1:36:16] it's [1:36:16] the [1:36:16] senate [1:36:17] own [1:36:17] business [1:36:17] to [1:36:18] settle [1:36:18] this [1:36:19] chamber [1:36:19] answers [1:36:20] to [1:36:20] god [1:36:21] and [1:36:21] people [1:36:22] who [1:36:22] sent [1:36:22] us [1:36:22] here [1:36:23] and [1:36:23] to [1:36:23] no [1:36:24] one [1:36:24] outside [1:36:24] this [1:36:25] walls [1:36:26] that [1:36:28] line [1:36:29] is [1:36:29] now [1:36:29] being [1:36:29] tested [1:36:30] this [1:36:31] is [1:36:31] not [1:36:31] an [1:36:31] accusation [1:36:32] i [1:36:33] am [1:36:33] speaking [1:36:33] truth [1:36:34] that [1:36:34] each [1:36:34] senator [1:36:35] already [1:36:35] knows [1:36:36] the [1:36:36] independence [1:36:37] of [1:36:37] this [1:36:37] institution [1:36:38] and [1:36:39] the [1:36:39] legal [1:36:39] standing [1:36:39] of [1:36:40] any [1:36:40] of [1:36:40] its [1:36:40] members [1:36:41] are [1:36:42] not [1:36:42] currencies [1:36:43] the [1:36:43] day [1:36:44] they [1:36:44] become [1:36:44] things [1:36:45] to [1:36:46] be [1:36:46] traded [1:36:46] is [1:36:47] the [1:36:47] day [1:36:47] that [1:36:48] the [1:36:48] senate [1:36:48] is [1:36:49] dismissed [1:36:49] and [1:36:50] after [1:36:50] the [1:36:51] senate [1:36:51] the [1:36:52] republic [1:36:52] so [1:36:53] i [1:36:53] put [1:36:54] one [1:36:54] question [1:36:54] to [1:36:54] you [1:36:55] not [1:36:56] as [1:36:56] the [1:36:56] majority [1:36:56] but [1:36:57] as [1:36:57] the [1:36:57] member [1:36:58] will [1:36:58] you [1:36:58] stand [1:36:59] for [1:36:59] the [1:36:59] senate's [1:36:59] independence [1:37:00] i am [1:37:01] asking [1:37:01] you [1:37:01] to [1:37:02] join [1:37:02] one [1:37:02] deliberate [1:37:03] act [1:37:03] to [1:37:04] let [1:37:04] the [1:37:04] senate [1:37:04] go [1:37:05] quiet [1:37:05] together [1:37:06] and [1:37:07] by [1:37:07] choice [1:37:07] so [1:37:08] the [1:37:08] country [1:37:09] is [1:37:09] made [1:37:09] to [1:37:10] ask [1:37:10] why [1:37:11] a [1:37:11] co-equal [1:37:12] branch [1:37:12] would [1:37:12] fall [1:37:13] silent [1:37:13] rather [1:37:14] than [1:37:15] be [1:37:15] made [1:37:15] to [1:37:15] serve [1:37:16] the [1:37:17] door [1:37:17] is [1:37:18] open [1:37:18] what [1:37:19] you [1:37:19] do [1:37:20] what [1:37:20] it [1:37:20] is [1:37:21] yours [1:37:21] to [1:37:21] answer [1:37:22] to [1:37:22] this [1:37:22] institution [1:37:23] and [1:37:24] to [1:37:24] the [1:37:24] people [1:37:25] watching [1:37:26] it [1:37:26] so [1:37:28] that's [1:37:29] the [1:37:29] statement [1:37:29] of [1:37:30] senate [1:37:30] president [1:37:31] alan [1:37:31] peter [1:37:31] cayetano [1:37:32] just [1:37:33] sent [1:37:33] a few [1:37:35] minutes [1:37:35] ago [1:37:36] so [1:37:37] in [1:37:38] essence [1:37:38] senator [1:37:41] alan [1:37:41] peter [1:37:42] cayetano [1:37:42] is [1:37:43] calling [1:37:43] for [1:37:44] the [1:37:46] members [1:37:47] of [1:37:47] the [1:37:47] minority [1:37:49] bloc [1:37:50] somehow [1:37:52] to [1:37:53] go on [1:37:54] protest [1:37:54] as [1:37:55] well [1:37:55] so [1:37:56] based [1:37:57] on [1:37:57] his [1:37:57] messaging [1:37:58] it's [1:38:01] similar [1:38:01] with [1:38:01] the [1:38:02] statement [1:38:02] of [1:38:02] senator [1:38:03] jingo [1:38:03] estrada [1:38:04] consistent [1:38:05] with [1:38:05] the [1:38:06] messaging [1:38:06] of [1:38:06] alan [1:38:07] peter [1:38:07] cayetano [1:38:07] a few [1:38:08] days [1:38:08] ago [1:38:08] na [1:38:08] there's [1:38:09] a [1:38:09] threat [1:38:10] to [1:38:10] the [1:38:10] independence [1:38:10] of [1:38:11] the [1:38:11] senate [1:38:11] and [1:38:12] that [1:38:13] the [1:38:13] members [1:38:13] of [1:38:13] the [1:38:14] majority [1:38:14] should [1:38:15] also [1:38:16] somehow [1:38:17] make [1:38:18] a [1:38:18] protest [1:38:19] against [1:38:19] it [1:38:19] by [1:38:20] being [1:38:21] quiet [1:38:21] so [1:38:22] based [1:38:23] on [1:38:24] this [1:38:24] long [1:38:24] message [1:38:25] of [1:38:25] senator [1:38:26] alan [1:38:27] peter [1:38:27] cayetano [1:38:28] yung [1:38:28] absence [1:38:29] ng [1:38:29] mga [1:38:29] senador [1:38:30] from [1:38:30] the [1:38:30] minority [1:38:30] block [1:38:32] rather [1:38:32] is a [1:38:34] protest [1:38:34] against [1:38:36] supposed [1:38:36] intervention [1:38:37] of the [1:38:38] administration [1:38:39] to [1:38:40] the [1:38:40] senate [1:38:41] and [1:38:42] that [1:38:42] the [1:38:44] senate [1:38:44] should [1:38:44] maintain [1:38:45] independence [1:38:46] doon [1:38:46] sa [1:38:47] from [1:38:49] the [1:38:49] external [1:38:50] threats [1:38:50] dito [1:38:51] sa [1:38:51] senado [1:38:52] so [1:38:55] interesting [1:38:56] yung [1:38:56] question [1:38:57] na [1:38:57] pinoint [1:38:58] out [1:38:58] ni [1:38:58] senator [1:38:59] alan [1:38:59] peter [1:38:59] cayetano [1:39:00] and [1:39:00] let me [1:39:01] read [1:39:01] it [1:39:01] again [1:39:02] so [1:39:04] i put [1:39:04] one [1:39:05] question [1:39:05] to [1:39:05] you [1:39:05] not [1:39:06] as a [1:39:06] majority [1:39:06] but [1:39:07] as a [1:39:07] chamber [1:39:07] will [1:39:08] you [1:39:08] stand [1:39:08] for [1:39:08] the [1:39:08] senate's [1:39:09] independence [1:39:10] so [1:39:11] yun [1:39:11] yung [1:39:12] challenge [1:39:12] ni [1:39:12] senator [1:39:13] alan [1:39:16] peter [1:39:16] cayetano [1:39:17] early [1:39:18] doon [1:39:18] sa [1:39:19] mga [1:39:19] members [1:39:20] of the [1:39:20] minority [1:39:21] block [1:39:21] so [1:39:22] it [1:39:23] seems [1:39:23] like [1:39:24] hindi [1:39:25] na [1:39:25] mag [1:39:26] start [1:39:26] or [1:39:26] hindi [1:39:27] na [1:39:27] natin [1:39:27] naasahan [1:39:28] na [1:39:28] magpapakita [1:39:29] dito [1:39:29] yung [1:39:29] mga [1:39:30] members [1:39:30] of [1:39:31] the [1:39:31] majority [1:39:32] given [1:39:32] the [1:39:32] statement [1:39:33] of [1:39:34] senate [1:39:34] president [1:39:35] alan [1:39:35] peter [1:39:36] cayetano [1:39:37] and [1:39:38] until [1:39:39] now [1:39:39] we [1:39:40] haven't [1:39:40] seen [1:39:41] any [1:39:41] members [1:39:41] of [1:39:42] majority [1:39:43] and [1:39:44] minority [1:39:44] block [1:39:44] although [1:39:45] the [1:39:45] minority [1:39:45] block [1:39:46] centers [1:39:46] earlier [1:39:47] went [1:39:48] to [1:39:48] the [1:39:48] lounge [1:39:49] we [1:39:50] will [1:39:50] try [1:39:50] to [1:39:51] get [1:39:51] a [1:39:51] response [1:39:52] from [1:39:52] them [1:39:52] based [1:39:53] dito [1:39:53] sa [1:39:53] statement [1:39:54] ni [1:39:54] senate [1:39:54] president [1:39:55] alan [1:39:55] peter [1:39:55] cayetano [1:39:56] will [1:39:56] try [1:39:57] to [1:39:57] get [1:39:57] their [1:39:57] action [1:39:58] we'll [1:39:59] keep [1:40:00] you posted [1:40:00] on [1:40:01] what's [1:40:01] happening [1:40:02] here [1:40:02] in [1:40:02] the [1:40:02] senate [1:40:03] just [1:40:04] tune [1:40:05] in [1:40:05] live [1:40:06] in [1:40:06] our [1:40:06] coverage [1:40:07] here [1:40:09] on [1:40:09] Rappler [1:40:09] and [1:40:10] you [1:40:10] can [1:40:10] also [1:40:10] download [1:40:11] Rappler [1:40:11] app [1:40:12] to [1:40:12] be [1:40:13] updated [1:40:13] on [1:40:13] what's [1:40:14] happening [1:40:14] here [1:40:14] in [1:40:14] the [1:40:15] senate [1:40:15] again [1:40:15] I'm [1:40:16] Patrick [1:40:16] Cruz [1:40:16] reporting [1:40:17] live [1:40:17] here [1:40:17] from [1:40:18] the [1:40:18] senate [1:40:18] to [1:41:47] to [1:41:48] to