SENATE President Alan Peter Cayetano raised alarm over what he described as a brewing constitutional crisis, as tensions escalated following a leadership shakeup in the upper chamber.
He appealed for calm amid the internal dispute and strongly urged that the Senate should never be “padlocked,” emphasizing that the institution must remain accessible to the public and transparent in its proceedings.
His statements came shortly after 12 senators moved to take control of the chamber, replacing key committee chairmanships and altering the leadership structure, moves Cayetano insists are invalid under existing rules and the Constitution.
In a Facebook Live address, Cayetano specifically warned against blocking access to the Senate or halting the work of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is set to hold hearings. “Do not padlock the Senate. Do not use the excuse that there is a rally; there is always a rally at the Senate anyway,” he said.
He cautioned that restricting entry or stopping official inquiries could trigger widespread public reaction. “Do not tempt the Filipino people to come out in thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions,” he added, stressing that the Senate belongs to the people and must remain open regardless of internal disagreements.
The dispute centers on the number of votes required to make major changes in the Senate. Cayetano argued that both the Constitution and the Senate’s own rules are clear: actions such as declaring positions vacant, changing leadership, or holding official sessions require a quorum of at least 13 senators.
“You cannot declare all positions vacant with only 12. You cannot even hold a session because there is no quorum,” he explained. He clarified that while 12 votes may suffice for lower-level positions, removing a Senate President, establishing a quorum, or appointing a Senate President Pro Tempore demands a higher threshold. He also noted the irony that in 2020, it was he who ordered the padlocking of the House of Representatives during a term-sharing dispute, a move he now opposes when applied to the Senate.
Members of the new majority bloc, led by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, have rejected Cayetano’s stance. In an interview, Lacson stated that the upcoming Blue Ribbon Committee hearing is illegal because the chairmanship has already been changed and the previous post vacated. He expressed confidence that the newly installed Senate Sergeant-at-Arms can maintain order and decorum within the premises, dismissing fears of chaos. Lacson also maintained that the recent changes were done properly and within the body’s authority.
Cayetano further claimed that Malacañang and the House of Representatives are supporting the move to unseat him, noting that they have already recognized Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate President. He accused these groups of trying to bend the law and undermine the Constitution to suit their goals.
Despite the conflict, Cayetano insisted he remains the “legitimate, legal, and moral” Senate President, saying his fight is not about holding on to power but upholding the law. “I can resign anytime; I can give this up to someone else if there are already 13 votes,” he said, while directing the Senate Secretariat and security officials to ensure the halls of the Senate stay open and accessible to all.
