Quorum of 12 still applies in Senate special session — Gatchalian

MANILA, Philippines — The quorum of 12 used by the Gatchalian bloc to shake up the Senate leadership may still apply at the upcoming special session, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday.

The attendance of the Cayetano bloc on Wednesday’s special session remains uncertain due to its members’ absence in the last three session days of the first regular session.

Asked whether the session could proceed without Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies, Gatchalian told the media: “Yes, because of the Avelino case, we have a quorum.”

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READ: Marcos calls for Congress special session

It is the Avelino case that the Gatchalian bloc cited to validate the change in Senate leadership on June 3; however, this was repeatedly tagged as “illegal” and “illegitimate” by the Cayetano bloc.

Apart from Sen. Joel Villanueva, no other senator from the Cayetano wing has expressed intent to attend the special session.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the special session to continue the consideration of urgent measures agreed upon by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council.

READ: Gatchalian urges colleagues to participate in special session

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Gatchalian also reiterated his call for his colleagues to attend the special session.

“For me it’s important that we approve all of these bills. Let’s not waste the special session, because this is an opportunity for us to clear the pending bills. That’s why it’s important that our senators attend,” the senator said. /das

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