A brewing leadership dispute in the Senate may hinder the chamber’s ability to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, including the expected impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said Sunday.
Ortega called on senators to resolve internal divisions, noting that prolonged disarray in the upper chamber risks delaying urgent legislative and constitutional functions, particularly the impeachment process.
He pointed out that the Senate’s current political tensions have raised uncertainty over when the impeachment court will formally convene in the 20th Congress, stressing that institutional order is necessary for such proceedings to move forward.
The deputy speaker made the appeal amid ongoing disagreements between Senate blocs over leadership arrangements and procedural participation, including proposals linked to remote attendance of sessions.
The issue has fueled further friction among lawmakers, with opposing camps raising concerns that such mechanisms could be used to influence attendance and participation in sensitive proceedings.
Ortega said the unfolding situation appears to be contributing to delays in the impeachment process, though he did not directly accuse any group of intentionally blocking it.
He also noted that recent Senate realignments and attendance issues have already complicated quorum formation, following absences and political developments involving several senators.
The Senate briefly resolved an 11-11 deadlock after Sen. Francis Escudero attended plenary and supported a motion reorganizing leadership posts, but tensions within the chamber persist.
Ortega stressed that failure to stabilize the Senate’s leadership situation could affect not only the impeachment trial but also other legislative priorities requiring full participation of senators.
