Senator Gatchalian cites Senate records: 12-member quorum accepted in past sessions

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said official Senate journals from 2008 to 2020 show that the chamber has recognized a 12-member quorum in past sessions.

The legality of the Senate quorum became an issue when Gatchalian was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore on June 3, 2026 with only 12 senators present.

READ: Senator Win Gatchalian elected Senate President Pro Tempore

Under the Philippine Constitution, a Senate quorum refers to 13 senators present for the voting.

Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the rules regarding quorum in legislative bodies are outlined in Article VI.

On the Respicio Law website, it says, "Article VI, Section 16(2): It provides that a quorum in either House of Congress (the Senate or the House of Representatives) shall consist of a majority of each House’s members. Specifically: The Senate: A majority of all its members (24 members in total) is required to form a quorum. This means at least 13 members must be present."

Senator Loren Legarda, who was the Senate President Pro Tempore replaced by Gatchalian, had also questioned the legality of the Senate leadership shakeup on June 3,

READ: Senator Legarda questions legality of Senate leadership shake-up

GATCHALIAN'S STATEMENT

In a news release on Tuesday (June 8, 2026), Gatchalian cited instances where Senate proceedings moved forward even with fewer senators physically present because others were on leave, abroad, or in detention.

He cited that in May 2008 and February 2009, the Senate declared a quorum with 12 senators present out of 23 members, following the resignation of then-Senator Alfredo Lim after being elected Manila mayor.

Senator Antonio Trillanes, who was then in detention, was unable to attend both sessions.

A similar scenario occurred on September 29, 2010, when the Senate again recognized a quorum with 12 senators present after the resignation of then-Senator Noynoy Aquino following his election as President of the Philippines.

Trillanes was also unable to attend the Senate session on that day because he was in detention.

On May 8 and 15, 2012, the Senate proceeded with official business with only12 senators present.

Several senators at the time were either on sick leave, on official missions, or arrived after roll call.

In 2015, the Senate adjusted its quorum base to 17 members due to the absence of senators who were abroad.

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada were in detention at that time.

On May 5 and June 2 of that year, sessions proceeded with 12 senators present, with other members on leave, on official travel, or arriving late.

A similar quorum was again recorded on May 23, 2020, when 12 senators were present while Senator Leila De Lima was in detention and others were unable to physically attend.

Gatchalian stressed that these precedents support the legitimacy of proceedings on his election as Senate President Pro Tempore, saying:

"Hindi natin pwedeng baguhin ang kasaysayan. Ang Senate records mismo ang nagpapatunay na hindi na bago ang nangyaring sesyon noong June 3 at ito ay lehitimo," he emphasized.

-Paraluman News