Just days after assuming the chamber’s top post, newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano launched a scathing critique against the Senate minority, accusing them of being overly focused on political maneuvering rather than governance.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, May 15, Cayetano boldly suggested that the newly formed minority bloc is prioritizing future political ambitions over legislative duties.
”Kayo sa Minority, mas importante sa inyo ang 2028 [elections]… ang Senate presidency?”
Cayetano fiercely pushed back against narratives suggesting that his assumption of the Senate presidency plunged the upper chamber into chaos, arguing that the opposition is merely capitalizing on the situation to twist the facts.
”You’re willing to see the Senate that way, and you’re willing to join the narrative, to flip the narrative to say, ‘Since I got here, magulo na ang Senate.'”
Defending his right to the leadership, Cayetano added:
”Kailan naging crime ang maging Senate president?”
The sharp rhetoric follows a dramatic Senate coup on Monday, May 11, orchestrated by the Duterte bloc. With a 12-9 vote, the faction successfully ousted Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, handing the leadership to Cayetano, while Senators JV Ejercito and Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri abstained.
The abrupt reorganization declared all Senate positions vacant, including committee chairmanships, resulting in the cancellation of several scheduled committee hearings.
Cayetano is now the third Senate President since the 20th Congress opened in 2025. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero initially held the gavel but was unseated by Sotto’s faction.
Cayetano’s own transition has been highly controversial, marked by a tense standoff and shootout between the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents during an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on May 13.