(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Escudero became the 12th senator to join the minority.
In a surprise turn of events, the Senate 11-member minority bloc has now become the majority although the fate of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano remained uncertain as 13 senators were needed to replace him under Senate rules.
Escudero, who belonged to the majority bloc, suddenly appeared during session creating a quorum.
In a statement on Wednesday, Escudero described the situation as "untenable and unacceptable," saying the Senate could not afford to remain immobilized by political divisions.
"When political divisions become too extreme and obstruct our mandate, we must have the courage to pause, reflect, and realize that we should put the Senate, as the institution we serve, above ourselves," he said.
Escudero emphasized that his decision was guided by his duty to the institution rather than loyalty to any political faction.
"This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the Senate," he said. "My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance. This is about duty."
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate presiding officer or Senate chief.
Meanwhile, the "new" majority bloc lauded the "courageous decision" of Escudero to break the impasse in the Senate and confront the issues facing the institution.
In a joint statement, the 12-member majority bloc said the Filipino people "deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics."
"It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people," the majority said, echoing the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
They said Escudero's "action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else."
"His presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside," they added.
The deadlock followed the surrender of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a plunder case and the continued absence of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, developments that narrowed the majority bloc's margin and fueled uncertainty over its control of the chamber.
