What happened today was a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution, because the Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead.
Under Rule XIV, Sec. 41 of the Rules of the Senate, the Senate President may postpone the holding of the session AFTER consultation with the Majority Leader AND the Minority Leader. That rule was violated. This is not merely a procedural lapse—it is a direct violation of the Rules of the Senate and a serious disrespect for the institution and the Filipino people.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano SHOULD RESIGN as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate.
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Ang nangyari ngayon ay malinaw na pag-abandona sa tungkulin, pagpapabaya sa responsibilidad, at tahasang pagsasawalang-bahala sa mga alituntunin ng institusyong ito. Hindi maaaring patigilin ang Senado sa pagtatrabaho dahil lang tumatangging mamuno ang presiding officer nito.
Under Rule XIV, Sec. 41 of the Rules of the Senate, the Senate President may postpone the holding of the session AFTER consultation with the Majority Leader AND the Minority Leader. Nilabag ang patakarang ito. Hindi lang ito procedural lapse, ito ay tuwirang paglabag sa Rules of the Senate at lantarang pambabastos sa institusyon at sa sambayanang Pilipino.
Dapat magbitiw si Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Ipinakita niyang hindi niya kayang gampanan ang tungkulin bilang pinuno ng Senado.