Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said members of the Senate majority bloc remain committed to defending the chamber’s independence, even in the face of legal challenges and political pressure that have recently confronted several senators.
Speaking during a livestream on social media on Friday, Cayetano said some members of the majority were prepared to sacrifice their personal freedom if necessary to uphold what they viewed as the Senate’s institutional autonomy.
“May mga senador sa majority na handang makulong, ilaban lang iyong kanilang prinsipyo na independent ang Senado, (There are senators in the majority who are ready to be jailed, just to fight for their principle that the Senate is independent,)” Cayetano said.
His remarks came amid a series of legal cases and investigations involving senators aligned with the majority bloc, developments that have heightened tensions within the upper chamber.
Among those facing legal scrutiny is Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was charged with plunder and graft before the Sandiganbayan following allegations involving the misuse of flood control funds. Estrada secured temporary liberty after posting bail for the graft charges on Friday.
Meanwhile, Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Joel Villanueva are also under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged plunder and related offenses linked to the same controversy.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta, for his part, may face criminal charges over allegations that he failed to disclose P75 million in campaign contributions received during his Senate campaign in last year’s midterm elections.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is likewise facing legal challenges after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in connection with killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Cayetano alleged that the legal actions targeting members of the majority bloc were being used to exert pressure on senators and influence the balance of power within the Senate.
He further claimed that outside groups and members of the 11-member minority bloc were working to weaken the current Senate leadership through political and legal means.
“Ang problema namin iyong gagamiting threat na ‘kapag lumipat ka dito, wala ka nang kaso. Kapag diyan ka, tutuluyan ka namin.’ (Our problem is the threat that will be used, ‘if you move here, your cases will be gone. If you stay there, we will go after you.’)”
The Senate President did not identify the individuals or groups allegedly behind the supposed threats. However, he maintained that members of the majority bloc would continue to stand by their principles and would not be intimidated by legal or political pressure.