Risa Hontiveros & Alan Peter Cayetano Clash Over the Future Voice of the Senate
RISA HONTIVEROS – Tensions within the Senate intensified as Risa Hontiveros challenged Alan Peter Cayetano’s controversial appeal for the chamber to “go quiet.”
Senator Risa Hontiveros strongly disagreed with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano following his appeal for the Senate to remain silent amid ongoing political tensions.
During a press conference held by the Senate minority bloc at the plenary session hall on Tuesday, June 2, Hontiveros criticized Cayetano’s statement, saying it was completely inappropriate because the Senate serves as the voice of the Filipino people.
“Maling-mali pa ‘yong sinabi niya kahapon na let the Senate go quiet. Ang Senado, dapat boses ng mamamayan bakit niya bubusalan?” said Hontiversos.
According to Hontiveros, a Senate leader who seeks to silence the institution is not worthy of leading the chamber. She emphasized that the Senate must continue to represent and amplify the concerns of the public rather than suppress them.
“Kung bubusalan niya at hindi niya bibigyang-daan ‘yong boses ng Senado, alang-alang sa mamamayan, talagang hindi na siya karapat-dapat mamuno dito,” Hontiveros said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson also voiced his opinion on the matter, alleging that Cayetano’s primary concern was protecting his position as Senate President. He further suggested that members of the majority bloc were merely supporting Cayetano rather than standing on principle.
“At what prize? Ang pinoprotektahan lang ‘yong Senate presidency, ‘yong power, ‘yong position… Ano ba ang prize para sa inyo? Sa tingin namin, wala, e. Ang tingin namin nakikisama lang sila kay Senate President Cayetano,” said Lacson.
The controversy stemmed from a statement issued by Cayetano on Monday, June 1, in which he urged members of the minority bloc to cooperate with the majority and allow the Senate to remain silent following the surrender of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
“I am asking you to join one deliberate act — to let the Senate go quiet, together and by choice, so the country is made to ask why a co-equal branch would fall silent rather than be made to serve,” said Cayetano.
This also marked the second time that members of the Senate majority bloc did not attend a Senate session following Estrada’s arrest, further intensifying the political divide within the chamber.
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