Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday urged the public to focus on the “whole truth” as he addressed false narratives surrounding the recent attack inside the Senate.
Appearing calm and composed during a Facebook livestream on May 15, 2026, Cayetano said Filipinos should be careful not to let “half-truths” tear the country apart.
“Ang appeal ko po sa lahat, let’s start focusing on the truth and the whole truth. Half-truth, hindi pa rin po truth ’yon,” Cayetano said.
“Based on the truth, let’s move forward. Let’s not destroy our nation; let’s build our nation,” he added.
Cayetano pushed back against claims that the Senate was in chaos, saying the institution was being targeted.
“Hindi po magulo ang Senado — ginugulo ang Senado,” he said. “Iba po ang magulo sa
ginugulo.”
The Senate President then laid down the key facts of the incident, beginning with the entry of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents into the Senate premises on May 11, 2026.
“Fact number one, NBI ang lumusob at pumasok sa Senado at nakipaghabulan sa isang senador kahit pwedeng hintayin na lang sa session hall or sa office of the Senate President,” he said.
He also dispelled allegations that the change in Senate leadership was intended to delay or even derail the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Fact number two, pwede nang magsimula sa Monday ang impeachment trial,” he said.
Cayetano also questioned the NBI’s actions after Director Melvin Matibag allegedly assured Senate officials that the bureau would not act without coordinating with them.
“Fact number three, sabi niya hindi niya pakikilusin ang NBI nang walang coordination sa amin,” he said. “But Wednesday morning pa lang, may reports na sa amin na naglalabas-pasok ang NBI agents.”
“Pagdating ng hapon, may NBI agents na naka-full tactical gear na nasa GSIS… Kitang-kita nakasuot ng ‘NBI.’ Still, they were denying na NBI sila,” he added.
Cayetano also praised members of the Senate media for continuing to report on the incident despite the danger.
“Hats off, sobrang tapang po. I really respect y’ung Senate media. Hindi kayo nagtago. Hindi kayo umuwi. You ran towards danger so that people will know the truth,” he said.
He urged the media as well as the public to continue sharing videos and evidence that could help counter what he described as manufactured narratives.
“Kaya ang pakiusap ko, lahat ng naglalabas ng video na kitang-kita ang katotohanan kaya nasisira ang mga gawa-gawang narrative, continue to do that,” he said.
Cayetano said the goal is to prevent the public from being gripped by fear and confusion over the incident.
“We just wanted everyone to not have a national trauma,” he said.
He ended with a prayer that the truth would come out.
“May we ask God for one thing: the truth to come out,” Cayetano said.