FACT CHECK: Villanueva quote card on Senate quorum is fake

Claim: A quote card shows Senator Joel Villanueva criticizing Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, saying that the quorum of 12 senators mustered during the June 3 Senate session was legal.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook page “Kuya Rudz,” with 7,000 followers, uploaded the quote card on June 6. As of writing, the post has 520 reactions, 120 comments, and 33 shares. Rappler also found several social media posts making the same claim.

The quote card reads, “Mr. Cayetano, kahit magkakampi tayo ang masasabi ko ay mali ka. Nag-quorum na silang 12 senators at binakante na ang mga posisyon. Legal ‘yun. Ang hindi lang pwede ay mag elect ng SP kasi need 13 votes. Hindi natin pwedeng ipilit yung gusto natin kahit illegal. Hindi ako payag diyan. Parang ikaw nalang nagdidikta ng lahat eh.”

(Mr. Cayetano, even if we are allies, I can say that you are wrong. They have already reached a quorum of 12 senators, and the positions have been vacated. That is legal. The only thing that is not possible is electing a Senate president, because it requires 13 votes. We cannot insist on what we want, even if it is illegal. I do not agree with that. It seems like you are the only one dictating everything.)

The facts: In a news update on DZBB and One TV Philippines on June 5, Villanueva debunked the quote card, calling it “fake news.”

A member of Villanueva’s staff also confirmed in a separate text message to Rappler that the quote card attributed to the senator is fake.

There are also no news reports or video recordings from legitimate and credible sources reporting the supposed statement by Villanueva.

Senate shakeup: The fake quote card was posted three days after the unexpected appearance of Senator Chiz Escudero, who was part of Cayetano’s bloc, at the Senate session on June 3, after two consecutive plenary sessions skipped by Cayetano and his allies. 

With 12 senators present, a motion was made to declare all elected Senate seats vacant and to elect Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president. (READ: TIMELINE: Coups, gunshots, and standoff in the 2026 Senate mess)

The Gatchalian bloc has cited the Avelino v. Cuenco doctrine in explaining why the quorum of 12 was legal. 

Cayetano and his bloc had disputed Gatchalian’s acting Senate presidency, insisting that Cayetano was the “legitimate and moral” Senate president.

During a special session on Wednesday, June 17, Gatchalian was elected Senate president, ending the leadership row in the upper chamber. Villanueva joined the new majority, giving Gatchalian the 13th vote for the Senate presidency.

Fact-checked: Rappler has previously debunked manipulated quote cards from different politicians and personalities:

• FACT CHECK: Quote card of Hontiveros saying she will file ICC case vs Israel, Trump is fake
• FACT CHECK: Quote of DPWH’s Dizon threatening case vs vlogger is fabricated
• FACT CHECK: ICC did not authorize Duterte’s release, quote card is fake
• FACT CHECK: Fake quote cards expressing support for Duterte cite fictional characters

– Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com

Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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