Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who has repeatedly said he remains Senate president, vowed on Monday to assert what he called his signing powers after saying papers for signature do not reach his office.Cayetano’s camp recently reached out to the Gatchalian bloc seeking talks on a “workable interim administrative arrangement,” which would include a dual signatory or joint certification mechanism for documents for Senate and impeachment court operations.But according to Cayetano, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian responded by denying Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales’ supposed role.The Gatchalian bloc recognizes Renato Bantug, Jr. as the Senate secretary.“Sulat around 12 o’clock na sinasabi sa ating Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales that you are no longer secretary… Basically, sinasabi na sila na. ‘Yun din ang sinabi sa OSAA but hindi firsthand knowledge. Sabi, chain of command,” Cayetano said in a press conference on Monday.As of writing, Gatchalian’s office has yet to issue a copy of their response.When asked about signing powers, Cayetano replied, “No. I&#x27;m not giving it up. I&#x27;m just saying malamang hindi dumating sa opisina ko ‘yung pipirman. But I&#x27;m not giving it up. Kailangan ko i-assert ‘yun.”Cayetano stressed the potential arrangement was brought up because he does not want Senate employees to be negatively affected by tensions in the upper chamber.“Ang sagot nila nung 12 o&#x27;clock is that hindi na siya secretary at mag-turnover nalang. So I really wanna avoid sa dami ng problema ng ating bansa that we have to write Land Bank, maipit ‘yung sweldo ng mga empleyado and everything,” Cayetano said.While Gatchalian’s camp reportedly made it clear they were not acknowledging Montales’ supposed position, Cayetano retaliated in saying Bantug is not the “legitimate” Senate secretary either.“Senate President Pro Temp, Senate President, Secretary of the Senate, OSAA– kailangan niyan 13 ang botong ilagay, 13 ang boto ‘pag tinanggal. Hindi nila sinunod ‘yan. So meaning hindi legitimate si Atty. Bantug,” Cayetano said.Meanwhile, the Senate website lists Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore, while the position of Senator is placed under Alan Peter Cayetano’s name.<div>‘BIGGEST COVER-UP COMMITTEE HEARING’</div>Cayetano called the Gatchalian bloc’s Blue Ribbon Committee meeting on Monday “the biggest cover-up committee hearing of our generation.”This was after alleging that one Blue Ribbon Committee’s main job is to absolve high officials of the country, while the other is meant to seek the truth.“So ‘yung Senate of Malacañang had a hearing kanina, and you have two Blue Ribbons Committee. ‘Yung isa ay committee de abswelto na ang kanyang main work is paano i-abswelto ‘yung mga high officials ng ating bansa, at ‘yung isa naman na seeking the truth,” Cayetano said.“So as a nation, we have to decide whether the Senate will be under the thumb of Malacañang, and now that it is very clear to us that the biggest ever corruption scandal is the flood control scandal, if it&#x27;s acceptable to us that we witnessed this morning the biggest cover-up committee hearing of our generation,” Cayetano added.Cayetano thanked those calling for his resignation as this supposedly means people recognize he still holds the position.“Papasalamat ako sa inyo sa call niyo na mag-resign ako bilang Senate president kasi ibig sabihin nire-recognize niyo pa rin ako as Senate president. Kasi kung hindi niyo na ako nire-recognize as Senate president, ba&#x27;t kayo nanawagan na mag-resign ako as Senare President?” Cayetano asked.<div>IMPEACHMENT TRIAL PRESIDING OFFICER</div>As soon as the other bloc manages to reach 13 members, the presiding officer position for the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte is theirs, Cayetano said.In response to questions on who the presiding officer will be, Cayetano replied, “As soon as they have 13, walang problema– sila na. Okay, so I have to assert because may pinaglalaban tayo. Pinaglalaban ko hindi ‘yung si Alan Cayetano ang Senate president. Ang pinaglalaban natin, ang Senado hindi puwedeng rubber stamp ng Malacañang.”Cayetano also said if there is any legislation needed for those in Mindanao, recently struck by an earthquake, they will “meet right away.”“They need the attention now. So if there’s needed legislation, good. We’ll meet right away. If not, then tulong-tulong tayo,” Cayetano said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who has repeatedly said he remains Senate president, vowed on Monday to assert what he called his signing powers after saying papers for signature do not reach his office.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who has repeatedly said he remains Senate president, vowed on Monday to assert what he called his signing powers after saying papers for signature do not reach his office.

Cayetano vows to assert signing powers

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Cayetano vows to assert signing powers

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 08, 2026 06:50 PM PHT

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Senate

impeachment

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