Cayetano Defends Online Voting Proposal Amid Controversy Over Impeachment Trial
Cayetano: Online voting not meant to benefit Duterte, senators facing arrest
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Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano clarified that the proposal for remote voting by senators is not aimed at benefiting Vice President Sara Duterte or senators facing arrest. He emphasized that the amendment is unrelated to impeachment rules and has been discussed prior to the pandemic.
- 01Cayetano stated that the proposed amendment for online voting is not linked to the impeachment trial or intended to assist senators facing arrest.
- 02Concerns were raised by minority senators about the potential for remote participation during the impeachment trial, scheduled for July.
- 03Senator Panfilo Lacson suggested that detained senators could still attend sessions in person through court leave, rather than voting remotely.
- 04Cayetano asserted that the amendment requires justifiable reasons for remote participation, which must be approved by Senate leadership.
- 05President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed disagreement with the idea that online voting should be used outside of pandemic conditions.
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Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano addressed concerns regarding a proposal to allow remote voting for senators, asserting that it is not designed to benefit Vice President Sara Duterte or aid senators potentially facing arrest. During a Facebook Live session, Cayetano emphasized that the proposal is unrelated to impeachment rules, which have already been established. The minority bloc, including Senator Panfilo Lacson, expressed opposition, arguing that remote voting could undermine the integrity of the upcoming impeachment trial set for July. Lacson suggested that senators facing legal issues could still participate in person through court-approved leave. Cayetano clarified that the amendment would not allow blanket online participation, as justifiable reasons must be provided and approved by Senate leadership. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also weighed in, stating that online voting should only be applicable during extraordinary circumstances like the pandemic. The debate continues as the Senate prepares for the impeachment trial amid heightened political tensions.
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The proposed amendment could significantly affect the proceedings of the impeachment trial and the participation of senators facing legal issues.
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