‘Frontline Pilipinas,’ ’24 Oras’ cover the Senate minority walkout

Tensions rose at the Senate on Tuesday evening as minority senators walked out of the plenary over a proposed rule that would allow senators to vote electronically during sessions.

The motion was proposed by Senator Rodante Marcoleta on May 11, the same day embattled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa resurfaced after six months in hiding. The DDS senator is now the subject of an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

TV5 broke the news first through its evening newscast Frontline Pilipinas, with mobile journalist Marymon Reyes reporting live from the session hall. She initially had Senator Robin Padilla while on the air for his reaction, but she was eventually blocked by the Senate sergeant-at-arms.

“Naku, ayaw ni SP [Cayetano] ‘yung ganoong salita,” the senator was overheard saying when asked about remarks that the majority was allegedly trying to railroad the process.

“Hoy, huwag naman kayo ganyan magsalita, huwag naman,” Padilla was later overheard saying after being asked if it was related to reports that majority senators could face jail time.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said it was set to file a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva over their alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. Both Estrada and Villanueva are members of the majority.

GMA-7’s 24 Oras also reported on the developments, with Sandra Aguinaldo reporting live from the Senate and providing a summary of events.

Over at One News, Political Beat host Lourd De Veyra briefly paused his interview with University of the East law professor Eric De Torres to break the news and bring in Reyes for an update. The Big Story also had a longer discussion with the Kapatid reporter.