03/06/2026
Tayoy mga Pilipino
Tayoy Makialam
/June/2026
When did 12 = 13?
Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states:
Sec. 2. "The Senate shall be composed of twenty four senators."
Sec. 16 (2). "A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business.."
Rule II. Sec. 2. of the Senate Rules states, "The officers of the Senate shall be elected by the majority vote of all its members."
So today, when 12 senators convened and purportedly held session, how can that be valid?
They cite the case of Avelino vs. Cuenco where the Supreme Court considered 12 as the majority. But as any freshman law student knows, you can’t pull out the rationale of a case and use it to suit your needs. The specifics of the case are different. No less than the esteemed Fr. Joaquin Bernas stated in his book, and I quote: “this manner of approaching the subject can lead to the ridiculous should the majority of the legislative body be abroad and beyond the coercive power of the body." (The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: A Commentary, 2009 ed.).
12 is not 13. Alam ng Grade 1 student yan.
