Manila: Official Senate journals from 2008 to 2020 reveal that the chamber has consistently acknowledged a 12-member quorum for conducting official business under specific membership and attendance situations, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian stated on Tuesday. Gatchalian emphasized that these records uphold the legitimacy of the June 3 session, where 12 senators were present, asserting that such quorum declarations have historical precedence within the Senate.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian highlighted instances from the Senate journals where quorums were declared with 12 senators present. These included sessions on May 21, 2008, and February 11, 2009, following Senator Alfredo Lim's resignation after his election as Manila mayor in 2007. During these sessions, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was under detention and unable to attend.
Gatchalian also noted that on September 29, 2010, a quorum was declared with 12 senators present following Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III's resignation after his presidential election. Similar declarations occurred on May 8 and 15, 2012, when some senators were on sick leave, official missions, or arrived post-roll call, yet the Senate proceeded with 12 members present.
Further emphasizing the practice, Gatchalian referred to the May 5, 2015, session when the quorum base adjusted to 17 due to four senators being abroad and three in detention. On June 2, 2015, a quorum was again declared with 12 senators present amid similar circumstances of detention, official missions, medical leave, or late arrivals.
He also pointed to May 23, 2020, when the Senate declared a quorum with 12 members present while Senator Leila de Lima was detained, and others were unable to attend physically. These records, Gatchalian asserted, demonstrate the Senate's historical recognition of a 12-member quorum under conditions affecting membership or attendance due to resignation, detention, official travel, or medical leave.
Gatchalian concluded that the June 3 proceedings should be interpreted in the context of the Senate's established practice and documented precedents.
