Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Win Gatchalian said official Senate journals from 2008 to 2020 conclusively show that the Philippine Senate has long recognized a 12-member quorum.
On May 21, 2008, and February 11, 2009, a quorum on 12 members present was declared based on a 23-man membership count following Senator Alfredo Lim’s resignation after getting elected as Manila Mayor in 2007. On both occasions, Senator Antonio Trillanes was under detention and unable to attend the sessions.
On September 29, 2010, the Senate declared a valid quorum with 12 senators present out of 23 members following Senator Noynoy Aquino’s resignation after winning the presidency. Senator Antonio Trillanes was again unable to attend because he was under detention.
On May 8 and 15, 2012, the Senate declared a quorum and conducted official business with 12 senators present out of 23 members following Aquino’s resignation. On both occasions, several senators were on sick leave, on official missions, or arrived after the roll call.
On May 5, 2015, the Senate adjusted its quorum base to 17 as four senators were abroad, while Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada were in detention. With 12 members present, the presiding officer declared a quorum.
On June 2, 2015, a similar quorum was declared with 12 members present, as Senators Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada were in detention, while others were on official missions, on extended medical leave, or arrived after the roll call.
Lastly, on May 23, 2020, a quorum was again declared with 12 senators present. At that time, Senator Leila De Lima was under detention, while others were unable to physically attend the session.
‘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 [We cannot change history. The Senate records will attest that what happened in the June 3 session is not new, and it is legitimate],’ he emphasized.