Camille Naredo

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Responding to queries about security arrangements, Cayetano clarified that Senator Ronald Dela Rosa is not under Senate custody and is free to leave, as Philippine courts have not issued an arrest warrant against him.
Maria Tan. ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SEN BATO DELA ROSA- ARREST- CAYETANO

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178231074298220260514-senate-alan-cayetano-MT14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should not prevent the Senate from continuing its investigation into the alleged flood control scam.In a vlog, Cayetano warned against allowing the impeachment proceedings to overshadow corruption investigations.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/senate-leadership-row-had-nothing-to-do-with-vp-impeachment-trial-says-escudero-2103">READ: Senate leadership row had nothing to do with VP impeachment trial, says Escudero</a></div>“Kasi kung ang gusto ng administrasyon ay kalimutan muna natin lahat ng ibang corruption, impeachment muna kasi importante ‘to, then that’s selective justice, ’di ba?” he said.He stressed that the alleged losses in the flood control controversy involve far larger amounts and called for the resumption of Blue Ribbon hearings.“Kasi kung sasabihin po natin ay sige, we’re getting organized, okay. Pero kung sasabihin niyo, ‘Uy, tapusin natin impeachment. Wala muna ang blue ribbon hearing.’ Sandali lang. Napakalaki, mas malaki yung pinag-uusapan nating amounts eh, ’di ba?… Why not call a blue ribbon hearing? Why not ask both the administration and the opposition sinong gusto niyong witnesses?” Cayetano said.Cayetano also criticized former Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson, accusing him of influencing previous investigations: “So kung gusto niyo ng pampaputi, punta kayo kay Senator Lacson kasi magaling mag-whitewash. O baka may ano yan, may pampaputi, ’di ba?”He likewise took a swipe at current Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Erwin Tulfo for suggesting there should be new evidence before another hearing is conducted.&quot;Hindi po ganun. ’Pag nag-iimbestiga ka, ikaw naghuhukay. Ikaw nag-i-investigate. Ikaw nag-uncover,&quot; Cayetano said. Cayetano also questioned Tulfo’s comments on the allegations raised by 18 former Marines linked to the flood control controversy: &quot;Kaya nagtataka nga ako kay Senator Erwin ba&#x27;t nagko-comment pa about the eighteen eh sabi niya magi-inhibit siya at si Senator Pangilinan na dapat ang mag-hearing diyan.&quot;Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero denied allegations by former staff members of former congressman Zaldy Co that suitcases of cash were delivered to him.“To answer you directly, hindi na ako nagulat pero tahasang kong sasabihin hindi totoo yan dahil magkagalit kami ni Congressman Co sa mahabang panahon… At imposibleng mangyari yan,&quot; Escudero said in a vlog of his own.Escudero said corruption allegations should be insulated from partisan politics.Senator Imee Marcos, in a separate vlog, said Senators Escudero and Joel Villanueva have been under intense pressure.&quot;Katakot-takot na pressure, katakot-takot na kaso… Ang pinagdadasal ko na lamang ay sa mga susunod na buwan, makikita din namin ang kanilang mga boto sa impeachment, sa budget, sa Blue Ribbon,&quot; she said.Marcos also denied speculation of a rift with detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who has likewise been linked to the flood control controversy. Cayetano also reminded fellow senators that Senate rules require impartiality during impeachment proceedings: “Senator shall observe political neutrality during the course of impeachment trial… Political neutrality shall be defined as an exercise of public official’s duty without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.”He said senators must remain fair regardless of whether they belong to the administration or the opposition.Cayetano also hit Tindig Pilipinas and Kiko Dee, grandson of former President Cory Aquino and former senator Ninoy Aquino, over an Ombudsman complaint filed against him.&quot;I just wanna congratulate them for doing the job for the administration… Just remember who you are, Kiko… Aquino ka, hindi ka Kiko D. Marcos, ‘di ba? So don’t get instructions from the administration,&quot; he said.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should not prevent the Senate from continuing its investigation into the alleged flood control scam.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should not prevent the Senate from continuing its investigation into the alleged flood control scam.

Cayetano says VP impeachment trial should not derail flood control scam probe

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Cayetano says VP impeachment trial should not derail flood control scam probe

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 24, 2026 10:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Alan Peter Cayetano

Sara Duterte

impeachment

flood control scandal

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