P700M for ‘chaos’: Lacson on Cayetano’s 28 days as Senate president

Senators Panfilo Lacson (left) and Alan Peter Cayetano —FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said the Senate spent an estimated P700 million during the 28 days that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano served as Senate President, describing the period as a costly episode marked by political turmoil and legislative paralysis.

In a post on X, Lacson said Cayetano’s brief tenure as Senate President was a waste of public funds, citing a series of controversies and political disputes that unfolded during the leadership struggle in the chamber.

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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 highlighted by one not presided nor attended by a single senator,” Lacson wrote.

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READ: Cayetano calls Lacson ‘divisive’, slams P700M estimate

Lacson’s estimate was based on an earlier statement by newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian that the Senate spends about P25 million daily for salaries, electricity, utilities and other operating expenses. Multiplied by the 28 days that Cayetano led the chamber, the figure amounts to roughly P700 million.

Responding via Facebook Live, Cayetano accused Lacson of being“divisive” and engaging in “intellectual dishonesty.”

Cayetano maintained that Lacson’s computation created a misleading narrative by implying that the entire amount was attributable to his stint as Senate President. Quoting a line he recalled about the use of statistics, Cayetano said, “Statistics is like a bikini. What it shows is very revealing, but what it hides is essential.” He added that the figure was presented in a way intended to stir controversy rather than provide context.

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Weeks of deadlock

Lacson’s estimate came a day after Gatchalian formally secured the Senate presidency during a special session on June 17, ending weeks of leadership uncertainty that began when Cayetano unseated then Senate President Vicente Sotto III on May 11.

READ: Senate row ends: Gatchalian takes helm, Cayetano yields

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Cayetano obtained the required 13 votes after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa resurfaced in the Senate after six months in hiding and joined the effort to replace Sotto.

The leadership change was soon followed by controversy after Cayetano placed Dela Rosa under Senate “protective custody” amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Dela Rosa later left the Senate premises before dawn on May 14 following a shooting incident involving Senate security personnel and law enforcement agents.

The chamber subsequently descended into a deadlock after Dela Rosa’s disappearance and the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada left both the majority and minority blocs with 11 senators each.

Cayetano’s allies boycotted Senate sessions on June 1 to 3, preventing the chamber from conducting business. The standoff shifted on June 3 when Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero attended the session and helped establish a quorum for the bloc led by Gatchalian.

During that session, senators present declared all leadership positions vacant and elected Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore. Since 13 votes were required to elect a Senate President, Gatchalian initially served as the chamber’s presiding officer in an acting capacity.

Disputed leadership

Cayetano rejected the move and maintained that he remained Senate President, arguing that the June 3 session was invalid. His allies also conducted separate blue ribbon committee hearings despite changes in the committee’s leadership.

The impasse ended on June 18 after Sen. Joel Villanueva joined Gatchalian’s camp, providing the 13 votes necessary to formally elect the latter as Senate President. Cayetano eventually conceded before the vote and pledged cooperation with the chamber’s new leadership.

Shooting probe dropped

Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the Senate would no longer pursue its own investigation into the May 13 shooting incident that occurred within the Senate premises.

“It is better to leave it to the DOJ to investigate. We cannot investigate ourselves,” Gatchalian told reporters.

The shooting occurred after National Bureau of Investigation personnel were deployed to secure entry and exit points of the Senate building through the Government Service Insurance System compound. Former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms chief Mao Aplasca and members of the Senate security force fired warning shots during the confrontation.

An investigation had been initiated under Cayetano’s leadership, but it did not proceed before he was removed from office.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida earlier said the Department of Justice’s preliminary findings indicated that the actions of Senate security personnel were “not justified.” He also disclosed that several individuals involved in the incident were public officials, although he declined to identify them.

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With the leadership dispute settled, Gatchalian said the Senate would focus on restoring normal operations and leave the shooting probe to the DOJ and other concerned agencies. /cb