Lacson: Majority ready vs Cayetano ‘dirty tricks’ in special session

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said the majority bloc is prepared for any “dirty tricks” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano may do during the Senate’s special session but stressed that all senators should still attend once it convenes.

READ: All 22 senators must attend special session, end leadership row – expert

Lacson made the pronouncement as he accused Cayetano of being “capable of doing anything to preserve his power.”

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“Members of the majority bloc are ready with contingencies in case he makes a scene. We have discussed measures that I am not at liberty to divulge,” Lacson said in a radio interview, as quoted by his office in a statement.

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“I have emphasized to the majority bloc not to underestimate him because he is capable of dirty tricks. He doesn’t care about the institution; he only cares about himself,” he added.

Lacson also claimed that some of Cayetano’s allies in the now-minority bloc have become more silent in supporting him as he continues to assert his Senate presidency.

“He should wake up to reality. Even if he shouts he is still the Senate president, no one is following him. Not even his allies who have become quiet, perhaps because they realize that the fight is over and it’s pointless to insist,” Lacson said.

“There is no permanent Senate president, but for all intents and purposes, he is not the Senate president,” he added.

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He then urged Cayetano to refrain from disrupting the Senate special session once it convenes, telling him to join the debate on the floor instead of taking it out on Facebook.

“Cayetano should not make a scene. All senators should take part in the special session. Cayetano should debate in plenary, not on Facebook,” he said.

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INQUIRER has reached out to Cayetano’s office for comment but has yet to receive a response as of writing.

Lacson also reiterated his call for all senators to attend the special session to resolve key measures and Commission on Appointments matters affected by the Cayetano-led boycott of Senate sessions from June 1 to 3.

He then praised Sen. Joel Villanueva, who earlier announced that he intends to attend the special session despite being aligned with the Cayetano-led bloc.

READ: Villanueva to attend special session: Not the time to take sides

“I just hope his colleagues in the Cayetano bloc have the same attitude,” he said.

Lacson then expressed hope that the special session would finally end the Senate leadership issue.

As of writing, no official date has been set for the special session that may be called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

READ: Palace changes tune on special session: Fix Senate impasse first

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The Palace previously said that Marcos was already considering holding the session following Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian’s request but later backtracked, stating that the upper chamber should first resolve its internal impasse before proceeding with the special session. /mcm