CAYETANO RAISES CONCERN OVER ALLEGED INTIMIDATION OF MAJORITY SENATORS THROUGH CASES

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano claimed on Friday that investigations and cases linked to the infrastructure corruption scandal are being used to intimidate members of the Senate Majority, giving them the choice to either switch to the Minority or face arrest.

He made the remarks in a Facebook livestream, saying the issue is not the cases themselves but their alleged use as a tool for political pressure ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s upcoming impeachment trial.

The claims follow the Sandiganbayan’s order for the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over graft and plunder charges, while preventive hold departure orders were issued against other Majority senators, including Joel Villanueva, Rodante Marcoleta, and Francis Escudero.

Cayetano emphasized that the Majority seeks orderly legislative and impeachment proceedings, and questioned the timing of rule amendments allowing remote participation in Senate votes.

The Senate Minority has expressed concern that the looming cases against Majority members may be influencing procedural changes, leading to walkouts and debates over the proper process for amending rules.

Source: PhilNews24 | May 30, 2026