Sen. Padilla: Mideast war, China conflict not force majeure?

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Robinhood Padilla has questioned the definition of force majeure shortly after minority Sen. Erwin Tulfo pointed out that the Senate rules allow online participation during catastrophic events.

Tulfo recalled the rule after Sen. Rodante Marcoleta proposed allowing online voting in Senate sessions.

“War in the Middle East that is already resulting in terrorism in various parts of the world, the imminent involvement of the Philippines in the China-Taiwan conflict. Isn’t this a force majeure?,” Padilla posted on social media Wedneday evening.

READ: Senators clash over rule allowing online voting; minority walks out

Force majeure refers to a superior force that can not be “reasonably anticipated or controlled,” such as health emergencies and according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 

In a separate post, Padilla insisted it is “clear” there is force majeure.

“It’s clear. Typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wars, terrorism, and, according to international warnings, a severe La Niña is coming due to a Super El Niño.”

Marcoleta proposed the rule amendments amid the absence of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Dela Rosa is among the 13 majority senators of the 24-member chamber.

READ: ‘Dream on,’ Lacson says as Imee bares push for online voting 

When the rule was supposed to be taken up in plenary on Tuesday, minority senators pushed back, citing that the majority is seemingly rushing to apply the amendment. 

Following a heated exchange, minority senators walked out of the session, forcing a lack of a quorum to vote on the matter. /gsg/dp