MANILA — An impasse between two factions of senators occurred in the Philippines. The impasse shut the Philippine Senate for two consecutive days. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has been absent since Monday. Ten allied senators have also been absent since Monday.
Alan Peter Cayetano stated that the absence of his bloc was partly a protest. The protest was to prevent rival senators from taking control. Cayetano stated on social media platforms regarding his position. He stated that he remains Senate president. He stated that he and his allies will not honor committee leadership changes. These changes were made by rival senators.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to the absent senators to return to work. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Senate impasse would hinder legislation. He stated that the legislation is needed. The legislation is needed to address an energy emergency. The energy emergency is linked to war in the Middle East. The Marcos administration issued a statement regarding the situation. The statement recognized Sen. Win Gatchalian's designation to an acting Senate leadership role by opposing senators. The Marcos administration said, 'What happened in the Senate was based on the law and the rule of law.'
Sen. Francis Escudero attended the session during the shutdown. His attendance provided a quorum. The quorum allowed the chamber to convene. Escudero said, 'The current impasse in the Senate is untenable and unacceptable.' Escudero said, 'Political divisions had become too extreme for the chamber to function.'
The Philippine Senate has 24 members in total. Currently, 22 members are active. Two senators allied with Cayetano were sidelined. These senators were sidelined due to legal issues.