MANILA, Philippines — Former National Economic and Development Authority chief and constitutionalist Christian Monsod lashed out at senators backing proposed changes to Senate voting rules, branding them “useless senators” who should be removed from office amid escalating tensions over the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The controversy erupted after senators from the minority bloc staged a dramatic walkout during plenary debates over a proposal allowing remote or online participation and voting in Senate sessions. Minority lawmakers accused the chamber’s new majority leadership of attempting to “railroad” the amendment without proper deliberation. (Inquirer.net)

In a strongly worded commentary circulating online and in interviews, Monsod questioned why senators were allegedly risking “the integrity and reputation of the Senate” to shield Duterte and her allies from political accountability. He argued that the proposed rule changes could directly affect the conduct of the anticipated impeachment trial against the vice president, particularly if senators facing legal problems or possible detention seek to participate remotely.

The walkout followed heated exchanges triggered by a motion from Senator Rodante Marcoleta seeking to amend longstanding Senate rules requiring physical presence during voting. Minority senators warned that the proposal appeared tailored for lawmakers who might become unavailable for future sessions because of pending criminal or international legal proceedings. (Inquirer.net)

Videos from the tense session showed senators openly accusing one another of manipulating Senate procedures for political survival. Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned the urgency of the proposal, asking whether the majority was rushing the amendment because some senators could “land in jail this weekend,” according to reports and video excerpts from the session. (Dailymotion)

The dispute comes just weeks after a dramatic Senate leadership shakeup that ousted Senate President Tito Sotto and installed Alan Peter Cayetano with the backing of senators aligned with the Duterte bloc. Political analysts and opposition figures have argued that the leadership change was linked to the impending impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte. (Wikipedia)

Minority senators maintained that if the proposed online voting rule is truly defensible, it should undergo committee hearings and transparent institutional review rather than being rushed through plenary deliberations. (Dailymotion)

The confrontation has intensified concerns among legal observers and civil society groups over the Senate’s role as an impeachment court and its broader constitutional responsibilities. Some critics warned that procedural changes made in the midst of a looming impeachment trial could damage public trust in the chamber’s independence and impartiality. (Wikipedia)

The Senate adjourned amid the disorder after the minority bloc’s exit threatened quorum, marking one of the most politically charged confrontations in the upper chamber in recent years. (YouTube)