Senate Paralyzed: Majority Bloc Boycotts Session Over Estrada Arrest Warrant

The Philippine Senate fell silent on Monday after a dramatic boycott by the entire 13-member majority bloc forced the cancellation of Plenary Session No. 69.

Led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, the majority lawmakers deliberately skipped the June 1 scheduled session. The move served as a direct protest against the implementation of a non-bailable plunder warrant against fellow majority member, Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

A Chamber Divided

Instead of walking onto the Senate floor, the majority bloc accompanied Estrada to the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame. Estrada surrendered voluntarily to authorities following the issuance of his arrest warrant.

READ MORE: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada Surrenders to PNP-CIDG Over ₱573-M Flood Control Plunder Case

Senate President Cayetano defended the boycott, declaring that the arrest directly threatened legislative independence. He stated that the chamber needed to "fall silent" to send a clear message regarding the treatment of its members.

Apologies, Song, and Selfies in an Empty Hall

The boycott left the upper chamber paralyzed due to a lack of quorum, turning an ordinary legislative day into an awkward standoff for visitors. Only the 11 members of the minority coalition, known as the "Solid Bloc 11," arrived at the plenary hall ready to work.

With no presiding officer and no majority senators in sight, minority senators approached the gallery to apologize to waiting guests for the failed session.

The disruption directly impacted a visiting choir, which had been invited to perform the national anthem to open the day's proceedings. Seeing the performance derailed, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri requested that the choir be allowed to sing inside the plenary hall anyway. The remaining minority members gathered to listen to the performance before the session was officially abandoned.

Before dispersing and exiting the chamber, the minority senators gathered on the floor for a group selfie to document the unprecedented empty hall.

Plenary Floor Left Empty

The boycott left the upper chamber paralyzed due to a lack of quorum. Only the 11 members of the minority coalition, known as the "Solid Bloc 11," arrived at the plenary hall ready to work.

Minority stalwarts, including Senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, and Juan Miguel Zubiri, waited on the floor for over an hour. After it became clear that the majority would not return to the capital, the minority lawmakers exited the hall.

Without enough lawmakers present to legally conduct official business, the session was officially abandoned and adjourned. The unprecedented standoff leaves key legislative items hanging in the balance as the Senate grapples with a deepening institutional crisis.