Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178184353775820260119-senate-probe-flood-control-curlee-discaya-JC9558 (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.<em> 📷༘ Joseph Vidal,  Senate PRIB and Maria Tan. ABS-CBN News</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian belied fresh accusations from his predecessor Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that the goal of the majority in getting the Senate leadership is to control the course of the impeachment trial and cover up the flood control scandal.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/p700-m-lost-in-senate-chaos-cayetano-blasts-intellectual-dishonesty-in-lacson-claim-1749">P700-M lost in Senate chaos? Cayetano blasts ‘intellectual dishonesty’ in Lacson claim</a></div><p>On Thursday, Cayetano went on Facebook Live and said, “Gusto niyo tuloy-tuloy na yung impeachment, at ang gusto niyo, grupo niyo ang magdikta ng tempo through the presiding officer… number two lang pala yung impeachment, ang number one, yung cover-up dito po sa flood control.”</p><p>According to Gatchalian in a DZMM Teleradyo interview on Friday, “Magdedepende yan sa ebidensyang ipapakita ng both sides, prosecution and defense. Diyan mase-sway ang mga senator-judges. Hindi sa pagpapalit ng liderato, hindi sa pagpapalit ng mayorya, minorya.”</p><p>The pre-trial conference of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte began on June 18 and Gatchalian said he has seen the pre-trial brief, which is 60 pages from each side.</p><p>Gatchalian also reiterated that senators still need to discuss who will be the presiding officer.</p><p>Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson previously said Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is an option.</p><p>“Sa ngayon, Senate President ang mag-pre-preside at magkakaroon kami ng caucus later on para mapag-usapan,” Gatchalian said. “Importante naman sa akin ay sundin ang rules at mapag-usapan.”</p><p>Asked if Gatchalian could be presiding officer even if he is not a lawyer, the Senate leader said, “Wala naman nakasaad sa Constitution, even in our rules, na kailangan abogado. In fact, ang gusto nga ng Constitution mas simple, mas naiintindihan ng taumbayan at malabas ang ebidensya. Tandaan natin hindi naman ito formal court na huwes ang namumuno. Ito ay impeachment court at sui generis siya. Ibig sabihin parang kakaiba siya. At ang gusto nga ng Constitution ay gawin as layman, mas simple, mas naintindihan ng taumbayan para masundan nang mabuti.”</p><p>Gatchalian also maintained his stance that 16 votes of all 24 members is required for conviction even though Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is in hiding and Senator Jinggoy Estrada is jailed due to plunder and graft charges. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FLOOD CONTROL</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Gatchalian also denied Cayetano’s allegation that the majority will cover up the flood control scandal.</p><p>He said Senator Erwin Tulfo will continue the hearings if needed.</p><p>“Very clear sinabi ni [Blue Ribbon] chairman Erwin Tulfo na itutuloy niya itong flood control. Pero dapat maayos at mayroong mga affidavits na isa-submit sa committee. At very clear siya na yung affidavit ang magiging basehan dahil hindi natin naman puwedeng pupunta na lang ang isang tao doon o ilang mga tao tapos mag-aakusa kung sino-sino. So importante na meron silang mga affidavit na isasubmit, duly notarized.”</p><p>He pointed out that Tulfo invited the 18 former employees of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to the Blue Ribbon hearing, but they did not attend.</p><p>The 18 claimed they delivered suitcases containing money to various individuals, including some senators.</p><p>“Pumunta sila sa building pero hindi naman pumunta at nag-attend nung hearing. Kaya nakaka-insulto yun at para sa akin pagbabalewala ng hearing at yung oportunidad na maglahad sila ng katotohanan,” Gatchalian remarked.</p><p>He said the Blue Ribbon may continue its hearings if there is new evidence and witnesses; there is no schedule so far.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Gatchalian has still not spoken with Cayetano, but he emphasized that his office is always open.</p><p>Pressed if he will reach out to Cayetano, Gatchalian responded, “Bukas yung aking pintuan at tanggapan para sa lahat.”</p><p>The new Senate President said he did not see Cayetano’s Facebook Live on Thursday because he was swamped with work. </p><p>During the live, Cayetano also questioned those who criticize his use of the platform.</p><p>“Bakit si Senator Lacson at yung Senator Raffy Tulfo, Senator Erwin Tulfo, na gumagamit din naman sila ng Facebook?” Cayetano asked. “Ba’t kayo galit na galit pag nagfe-Facebook ako? Eh ang hilig niyo rin mag-Facebook?”</p><p>Gatchalian commented, “Well, kanya-kanya naman talagang pamamaraan yan para mag-communicate. Iba-ibang tao, iba-iba yung style at kanya-kanyang paraan yan. Kung saan ka komportable at saan tingin mo epektibo ka, eh pwede mong gawin yun.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson blasted Cayetano anew.</p><p>Cayetano earlier responded to Lacson’s post that the Senate &quot;wasted&quot; P700 million when Cayetano was Senate President.</p><p>&quot;Simple lang po. Kahit sino po ang Senate President, 25 million a day ang gastos ng Senado,&quot; Cayetano responded.</p><p>Lacson fired back and said, “Tama naman — ‘Whoever was SP noon, ganun din ang gastos…’ Pero, output ang pinag-uusapan: trabaho sa plenaryo, hindi boycott; magpasa ng batas, hindi mag livestream sa Facebook. At kung ayaw tumulong, huwag na lang manggulo. Kaya nga sayang ang pera, kasi zero output.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iD_0KrFyLnc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0cWqtn6w75c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian belied fresh accusations from his predecessor Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that the goal of the majority in getting the Senate leadership is to control the course of the impeachment trial and cover up the flood control scandal.</p>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian belied fresh accusations from his predecessor Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that the goal of the majority in getting the Senate leadership is to control the course of the impeachment trial and cover up the flood control scandal.

Gatchalian belies Cayetano claims majority wants to control impeachment trial, cover up flood control mess

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Gatchalian belies Cayetano claims majority wants to control impeachment trial, cover up flood control mess

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 19, 2026 12:33 PM PHT

Read More:

win gatchalian

alan cayetano

impeachment

flood control

ping lacson

senate

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