Marcos rejects remote Senate vote, tells Dela Rosa to show up instead

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May 29, 2026 | 4:50pm

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he opposes allowing senators to participate and vote in sessions through teleconferencing.

"I disagree with that. I don't see any good reason to allow it now," Marcos said on Friday, May 29, during a press conference in Japan, where he is on a state visit, The STAR reported.

Marcos' remark came as a proposal was floated at the Senate early this week to allow senators to participate and vote online in sessions.

Saying that the proposal aimed at allowing Sen. Bato dela Rosa to vote while he evades arrest, Marcos said he should physically appear at the Senate if he wants to participate and vote.

"It seems that it will only be applicable to Senator Bato, para makaboto si Senator Bato dahil nagtatago siya. For someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, na hinahanap ng police, hinahanap ng Interpol, at may arrest warrant galing sa ICC, palagay ko hindi siya dapat bumoto hanggang dumating siya sa Senado," Marcos said.

(It seems that it will only be applicable to Senator Bato so Senator Bato can vote because he is hiding. For someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, who is being sought by the police and Interpol, and has an arrest warrant from the ICC, I think he should not vote until he shows up at the Senate.)

Force majeure claim

In a series of Facebook posts on May 27, Sen. Robin Padilla argued tensions in West Asia and the anticipated La Niña could be considered force majeure to allow Dela Rosa to attend and vote remotely.

Padilla also cited Marcos' earlier statement that the Philippines could be affected by a possible conflict between China and Taiwan.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson mocked Padilla's argument on X, saying, "Hindi po ito 'force majeure'. Iyan po ay 'UNFORCED ERROR,'" followed by two laughing emojis.

(This is not "force majeure." That is an "unforced error.")

Minority bloc senators have argued that the proposal would go against current Senate rules, particularly Rule XIV, Section 41, which allows teleconferencing only in cases of force majeure or national emergency that may prevent the Senate from convening or senators from being physically present in the session hall.

Push for online participation

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, allied to Padilla and Dela Rosa, introduced the proposal on May 11. He said he wants to add "justifiable reasons" to the rules as a basis for allowing senators to participate online.

The minority bloc has accused the majority of rushing the proposal for the benefit of Dela Rosa and other senators who may face arrest. The walkout came after senators clashed over the proposed amendment to the chamber's rules.

Dela Rosa left the Senate premises early Thursday, May 14, after a tense standoff over the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, according to earlier Philstar.com reporting.