Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday said the Senate minority bloc will not support any proposal allowing Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to vote in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte without being physically present in the chamber.
Tulfo said in a television interview that remote participation was only justified during the pandemic when lockdowns and health restrictions were in place, conditions that no longer apply.
“Ngayon po, everything’s okay naman po, kailangan po siguro ng presence sa Senado,” Tulfo said.
He made the statement in response to a proposal from Senator Rodante Marcoleta allowing Dela Rosa to cast votes in the impeachment proceedings even if he is not physically in the Senate.
Tulfo said many members of the minority bloc are expected to reject the proposal, stressing that pandemic-era rules should not be used under normal circumstances.
“Marami po sa amin, kami po sa minoriya at hindi po sasang-ayon po dyan. Kailangan po physically present,” he said.
The senator also confirmed that Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has already circulated the schedule for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is set to begin on July 6.
Under the schedule, Senate sessions will run alongside impeachment proceedings, with trials set in the afternoon on Mondays and Tuesdays, and extended sessions on Wednesdays, while Thursdays will be reserved for regular Senate business.
Tulfo said the minority bloc is also awaiting guidance from the Senate leadership regarding Dela Rosa’s status following the Supreme Court’s denial of his petition for a temporary restraining order against an International Criminal Court-related arrest warrant.
He said any direction should come from the Senate President’s office, noting the sensitivity of the matter involving a sitting senator.
Tulfo added that the minority is also expecting clarification on CCTV footage reportedly showing Dela Rosa with Senator Robinhood Padilla before leaving the Senate compound.
He said the majority should act first on the issue, but the minority may raise it on the floor if no action is taken.
Photo courtesy of Erwin Tulfo / Facebook
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