Camille Naredo

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano faces the media during a brief press conference at the Senate on Thursday, May 14, stating he will hold a full press briefing later this afternoon regarding last night’s gunfire incident, the impeachment issue, and other matters. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News


Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano faces the media during a brief press conference at the Senate on Thursday, May 14, stating he will hold a full press briefing later this afternoon regarding last night’s gunfire incident, the impeachment issue, and other matters.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE - CAYETANO

Carlos Trazo

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/178076370850820260514-senate-alan-cayetano-MT1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano faces the media during a brief press conference at the Senate on Thursday, May 14, stating he will hold a full press briefing later this afternoon regarding last night’s gunfire incident, the impeachment issue, and other matters. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano faces the media during a brief press conference at the Senate on Thursday, May 14, stating he will hold a full press briefing later this afternoon regarding last night’s gunfire incident, the impeachment issue, and other matters. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday delivered a lengthy defense of the current Senate leadership, insisting that last week&#x27;s reorganization was illegitimate and not rooted in constitutional principles.</p><p>In a Facebook Live, Cayetano stressed that sovereignty lies with the Filipino people and that the Senate must remain independent. </p><p>&quot;Ang problema ng Pilipino, kailangan harapin ng mga Pilipino. Hindi pwedeng ibang bansa o Malacañang ang magdesisyon para sa Senado. Ako po, hindi anti-any nation. I am pro-Philippines. I will decide based on three books: the Senate rules, the Philippine Constitution, and the Bible,&quot; Cayetano said.</p><p>Cayetano&#x27;s status as Senate President is in question after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore on Wednesday, when Senator Chiz Escudero arrived to break the impasse at the chamber.</p><p>Both blocs are now insisting that they constitute the majority, leaving the Senate in a power struggle.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/battle-of-blue-ribbons-shows-an-upper-house-still-divided-2148">READ: Battle of &#x27;Blue Ribbons&#x27; shows an upper house still divided</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/cayetano-calls-senate-shake-up-an-illegal-maneuver-2142">READ: Cayetano calls Senate shake-up an &#x27;illegal maneuver&#x27;</a></div><p>Cayetano on Saturday warned against attempts to undermine democracy, saying independence brings blessings while dependence leads to a curse.</p><p>&quot;Pagka-independent, may blessing. Pag ito ay naging puppet at may puppet master, cursed na po ito. Democracy means representation, free speech, rallies, social media—hindi dapat ito masakal,&quot; he said.</p><p>He also recounted past leadership struggles and claimed that he had repeatedly refused offers to seize the Senate presidency in 2016, 2022, and 2025.</p><p>&quot;By God&#x27;s grace, napunta sa akin. I knew this wasn&#x27;t about perks or billions in discretionary funds. This was about the truth,&quot; he said.</p><p>Cayetano also Malacañang and its allies of orchestrating recent disruptions, including the deployment of NBI agents inside the Senate: &quot;Sila yung nanggulo, kakampi ang Malacañang, kakampi ang NBI, tapos pinapalabas kami ang magulo. Clear na yun. Even the walkout showed the inconsistency—walang quorum daw, then biglang meron.&quot;</p><p>He then cautioned Gatchalian against being &quot;used&quot; by the Palace. &quot;Huwag ka magpagamit sa Malacañang at sa mga kasamahan mo. Kahit binibigyan ka ng high position, don&#x27;t let them ruin your future,&quot; he said.</p><p>The Palace said last Wednesday that they <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/malacanang-recognizes-legitimacy-of-new-senate-majority-castro-1728">recognized the legitimacy of the new Senate leadership</a>, including Gatchalian as Senate President Pro-Tempore.</p><p>But Cayetano stressed that senators must resist external pressure and urged them to protect the chamber&#x27;s independence. &quot;Do you want a Senate that will cover up the truth? Democracy is also an issue, but the issue now is truth. Ang mensahe ko: let&#x27;s return to work, uphold independence, and face the nation&#x27;s problems together,&quot; he said.</p><p>Earlier in the day, Gatchalian had <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/6/gatchalian-on-legarda-s-unconstitutional-remark-law-experts-opinions-have-more-weight-1929">maintained the legality</a> of the Senate session last June 3 that saw him become Senate President Pro Tempore.</p><p>Gatchalian responded to the sentiment of Senator Loren Legarda, who said their move had been unconstitutional. He cited the opinions of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, deans of law schools, and even former Senate Presidents, saying that their words carried more weight.</p><p>&quot;Mas mabigat yung opinyon nila dahil yung mga ganitong bagay, pinag-aaralan nila,&quot; said Gatchalian.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zcfc5Fwx3l8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday delivered a lengthy defense of the current Senate leadership, insisting that last week's reorganization was illegitimate and not rooted in constitutional principles.</p>

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday delivered a lengthy defense of the current Senate leadership, insisting that last week's reorganization was illegitimate and not rooted in constitutional principles.

Cayetano defends Senate leadership, warns against Malacañang influence

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Cayetano defends Senate leadership, warns against Malacañang influence

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 07, 2026 12:37 AM PHT

Read More:

Alan Peter Cayetano

Malacanang

Philippine Senate

Win Gatchalian

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