The Senate could face another confrontation if the majority bloc moves to force a vote on the proposed rule allowing senators to participate and vote remotely without following proper procedure, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said Monday.

Tulfo said the minority bloc is ready for any move by the majority when the Senate resumes session after last week’s walkout over the proposed amendment to the chamber rules.

“Anticipated naman namin na itong majority mukhang gagawa na naman ng maniobra. Pero ready naman kami. Ready naman kami for any eventuality. Kung ano man na meron silang binabalak, alam naman namin siguro ang move na gagawin namin para hindi kami ma-checkmate (We anticipated that the majority appears ready to make another maneuver. But we are ready. We are ready for any eventuality. Whatever they may be planning, we probably know what move to make),” Tulfo said in a television interview.

Tulfo said the minority is not closing the door to debate but would oppose any shortcut in the process of amending the Senate rules.

He said Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s earlier motion to amend the rules had already been referred to the committee on rules, which has yet to convene.

Tulfo said that if Marcoleta wants to bring the issue on the floor, he should first withdraw the earlier motion and file a new one.

“So dapat ang ginawa ni Marcoleta nung araw na iyon, dapat winidro niya muna ‘yung kanyang motion at nag-motion siya ng panibago (So what Marcoleta should have done that day was to first withdraw his motion and file a new one),” Tulfo said.

Tulfo said the proposed amendment should first be debated before any vote is called.

“Kung sakali ‘yun ang tatahakin niyang landas (If that is the path he will take), we have to debate on it,” he said.

Tulfo said the minority walked out during last week’s session because members believed the majority was moving to put the proposal to a vote without allowing them to fully argue their position.

The proposed amendment seeks to allow senators, for justifiable reasons, to attend and participate in sessions through teleconference, video conference, or other electronic means.

The issue has drawn objections from the minority, which claimed the proposal was meant to accommodate an absent senator who could vote online.

Tulfo also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s position against remote voting, saying public sentiment is also against changing the rules for an absent senator.

Asked whether the rules dispute could affect the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, Tulfo said the minority expects the process to continue but warned against any new “illegal maneuver.” (PNA)