They elected their own officers, plebeian tribunes and plebeian aediles. The senate hesitated because of the enmity between senators and plebeian tribunes. Two plebeian tribunes, Favonius and Cato, led the opposition to the steps of the consuls. So did the other magistrates and the plebeian tribunes. The optimates tried to persuade the other nine plebeian tribunes to oppose the bill. Usually, vetoes were handed down by plebeian tribunes. The plebeian tribunes who sided with the optimates also stopped performing any public duty. Bibulus, supported by three plebeian tribunes, obstructed the vote. Ceres was patron and protector of plebeian laws, rights and Tribunes. The unarmed plebeian tribunes avoided a violent confrontation, but they did criticise him. It had no praetors, tribunes, or quaestors. The two most important were the tribunes of the plebs and the military tribunes. All magistracies and the tribunes of the plebs had resigned in advance. However, other plebeian tribunes prevented the outsiders from getting in. Metellus Celer did not consent when the other plebeian tribunes wanted to set him free.