Lacson: Cayetano's chaotic leadership cost the Senate P700-M

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said the Senate spent an estimated P700 million during the 28 days that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano served as Senate President, with “chaos” to show for it.

According to Lacson, Cayetano’s time was “a waste of taxpayer’s money.”

“THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano: Estimated Cost – P700M. Output – chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its “protective custody”, session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings highlighted by one not presided nor attended by a single senator,” Lacson wrote on X.

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THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano:Estimated Cost – P700M. Output – chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its “protective custody”, session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings…

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 17, 2026

Cayetano became Senate president on May 11 after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa resurfaced in the Senate, giving Cayetano the 13th vote needed to unseat then Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The coup was followed by Cayetano placing dela Rosa under Senate “protective custody” amid an International Criminal Court-issued warrant, only for dela Rosa to flee from the Senate premises after a historic gunfire incident.

Following dela Rosa’s departure and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s arrest, the Senate found itself at an impasse, with both the majority and minority blocs having 11 senators each.

Cayetano’s bloc subsequently boycotted Senate sessions.

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Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who had previously aligned himself with Cayetano’s bloc, attended the June 3 session, allowing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s group to establish a quorum of 12 senators.

During that session, senators declared all leadership positions vacant and elected Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore.

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Because 13 votes are required to elect a Senate President, Gatchalian served as the chamber’s presiding officer while holding the top post in an acting capacity.

Cayetano has since maintained he was Senate president, claiming that the June 3 session was not valid.

They likewise conducted their own hearings for the blue ribbon committee despite changes in the committee’s chairpersonship.

The impasse ended during the June 17 special session after Sen. Joel Villanueva joined Gatchalian’s bloc, giving it the 13 votes needed to formally elect Gatchalian as Senate President.

Cayetano eventually conceded before the election took place and expressed his cooperation for whoever gets elected.

Lacson’s P700 million estimated 28-day cost appears consistent with Gatchalian’s earlier statement that the Senate spends around P25 million daily on electricity, utilities, salaries and other operating expenses.

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Cayetano has yet to respond to the INQUIRER’s request for comment as of posting time. /gsg