‘KAMING MGA SENADOR AY DAPAT PUMASOK... AT MAGTRABAHO’
LOOK: Senator Risa Hontiveros says the Senate majority's push to allow online participation in sessions is incomparable to the case of then Senator Leila de Lima, who was permitted to attend hearings while in detention during the pandemic.
Senate rules only allow such exceptions under force majeure or during a national emergency. Hontiveros also noted that De Lima had surrendered and followed the law.
"Then and now, there should be respect for legal authority. The Senate should not pave the way for a member to continue to vote, influence policies, and receive institutional benefits of office—despite refusing to submit to lawful arrest or judicial authority," she said.
Hontiveros and fellow minority members walked out of the plenary session on Tuesday, May 26, in protest of what they described as the railroading of an amendment to the chamber's rules.