Tensions flared on the Senate floor on Tuesday, August 11, following a heated dispute between Senator Raffy Tulfo and Senator Pia Cayetano over unresolved committee assignments.
Tulfo previously accused Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano of delaying the chamber’s organization by failing to clear minority lawmakers to join committees.
He emphasized that the impasse is stalling key legislative priority bills, including measures to create a Department of Water, various franchise applications, and programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Senator Pia Cayetano, defending her brother, countered that Tulfo should have brought his concerns directly to her.
“Madali niyo naman ho akong tanungin, alam niyo namang kapatid ko si Alan,” she said.
She further objected to Tulfo’s claim that committee memberships were being held “hostage,” maintaining that such aggressive language strays from Senate decorum.
“Hindi po tayo ganito dito,” she stated, adding that in her 19 years as a lawmaker, she had never heard such terminology used during plenary.
Tulfo firmly rejected any implication that he was manufacturing drama for public attention.
“Never po ako nag-drama dito. Simula nung ako’y maging senador, never ever po ako nagsinungaling o nag-drama rito,” Tulfo pushed back.
“Sino ang nag-drama? Tumingin muna kayo sa salamin bago kayo magsalita,” he added.
The spat follows efforts by Tulfo’s office to secure clearances from the minority leader for senators wishing to join panels under his leadership. Senate President Win Gatchalian confirmed that 32 committees remain unable to fully convene due to unfilled seats.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri indicated he would contact Alan Peter Cayetano—who has been under the weather—to resolve the bottleneck, expressing confidence that committee elections will proceed by Wednesday.