Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano expresses his cooperation regarding the impending change in Senate leadership, but made clear that stepping away from the post does not mean stepping away from the fight that defined his short tenure: the push to uncover the truth behind the flood control controversy and defend the Senate’s independence.
In a statement, Cayetano framed the Senate presidency not as a prize to be protected, but as a responsibility temporarily entrusted to him. He said leadership positions, titles, and political majorities may change, but the public’s right to know how government funds were used — especially billions meant to protect communities from flooding — should not depend on who holds the gavel.
Cayetano said the flood control issue remains unfinished business. He argued that the controversy was never about personalities or positions, but about whether public money reached the communities it was meant to serve, why flooding persists despite massive allocations, and who benefited if those funds were misused. He vowed to continue pursuing what he called the “masterminds” behind the scandal, with or without the Senate presidency.
He also urged the chamber to return its focus to urgent national concerns, particularly Mindanao’s recovery after the earthquake, the rising cost of basic goods, wages, electricity rates, and anti-corruption reforms. Cayetano said relief and rehabilitation for affected Mindanao communities should move without hesitation, calling it exactly the kind of work the Senate must prioritize in moments of national need.
At the same time, Cayetano questioned whether the current special session is truly being used for urgent legislation, noting that key priority measures have yet to move despite earlier assurances that a leadership change would not slow down the Senate’s work. For Cayetano, the real test now is simple: whether the Senate will spend its time passing serious measures for the people, or whether politics has once again overtaken public service.
While accepting that the numbers may soon favor a new Senate President, Cayetano maintained that the constitutional questions surrounding the June 3 proceedings remain unresolved and are now before the Court. Still, he said he would respect a lawful vote held with proper quorum, stressing that his objection was not to the Senate’s right to choose its leaders, but to the manner in which the change was pursued.
Cayetano closed his message by saying he may leave the position of Senate President, but not his duty as a public servant. He extended his advance cooperation and congratulations to whoever is lawfully elected to lead the chamber, while thanking the public for what he called the honor of serving as Senate President. Cayetano ended by reiterating a message that has become central to his position throughout the leadership dispute: offices, titles, and majorities may be temporary, but the public’s right to the truth must remain protected.
Image from Senate of the PH FB