Poe, Cayetano skip plenary sessions

MANILA, Philippines - Amid criticisms that members of President Aquino’s Cabinet have resorted to early campaigning, two senators perceived to be aiming for higher office skipped plenary sessions this week.

Sen. Grace Poe and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano were on “official mission,” according to the Senate attendance sheet.

Poe was in Cebu last Monday, where she attended a forum at the University of San Carlos. She went around Zamboanga City on Tuesday. 

Poe’s office said the senator also went to Pangasinan for speaking engagements at the Lyceum Northwestern University and the University of Luzon in Dagupan City, and in Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City.

She also met with a group of businessmen in the province and witnessed the turnover of donated educational equipment to Bayambang Central School.

While in Pangasinan, Poe said that Cabinet secretaries who plan to run for elective posts in 2016 should observe delicadeza and resign.

“Usually, those in appointed position do that (resignation). When I ran for senator in 2013, as an appointed Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson, I had to resign,” Poe told reporters.

Poe has not officially announced her bid for the presidency next year, but she is seen to be courting the support of the youth sector during her various visits in universities.

While Cayetano was absent in last Monday’s sessions, he gave radio interviews on his views on the balikbayan box issue. Members of his staff did not say why the majority leader was unable to attend the plenary sessions.

Cayetano attended the Senate hearing on the corruption charges against Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday morning, but the senator was again absent during the afternoon plenary.  

Sens. Teofisto Guingona III, Lito Lapid, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  were also on “official mission.”

Drilon defends absences in sessions

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the Senate has no problem getting the attendance of the majority of senators during plenary. 

It takes 13 senators present on the floor to get the majority attendance and start session.

“We have no problem with the roll call. Every day we do roll call. There is enough majority. Of course, when the debate on proposed laws was stretched, other senators who have commitments have to leave,” Drilon explained in Filipino.

But Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile reminded the Senate leadership last Tuesday that the minority would be questioning the quorum during plenary debates on important legislation, especially the basic law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Drilon recognized Enrile for reminding his colleagues on the importance of being physically present during plenary session.