Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano Speaks on Recent Senate Plenary Session
ALAN PETER CAYETANO – The Senator reacted to the surprise attendance of Sen. Chiz Escudero to the Wednesday Senate plenary session.
The surprise appearance of Sen. Chiz Escudero during the Wednesday Senate plenary session brought the senators to a quorum of 12 which was followed by the reported ouster of Sen. Cayetano. The 12 senators voted to declare all positions in the chamber vacant.
After the positions in the Senate were declared vacant, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore. The committees were also switched to the leadership of the following now-majority senators:
- Finance: Sen. JV Ejercito
- National Defense and Security: Sen. Tito Sotto
- Public Order and Dangerous Drugs: Sen. Ping Lacson
- Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee): Sen. Erwin Tulfo
- Public Services: Sen. Raffy Tulfo
- Basic Education: Sen. Bam Aquino
- Agriculture: Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
- Health and Demography: Sen. Risa Hontiveros
- Games and Amusement: Sen. Lito Lapid
- Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlements: Sen. Chiz Escudero
- Foreign Relations: Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
The unexpected attendance of Sen. Chiz Escudero which he described as a move for taking a stand for the Senate earned different reactions. The now-majority bloc clearly rejoiced the arrival of Escudero at the session hall.
According to Sen. Bam Aquino, they were allegedly at the brink of violating the Constitution if Sen. Escudero did not arrive and they were unable to hold the session for the third time. The majority senators also defended the election of Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian.
Despite the Senate shakeup, the now minority bloc pushed through with the hearing today. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano also maintained that he is allegedly the legal and moral Senate president of the Republic of the Philippines.
Recently, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano broke his silence to the surprise attendance of Sen. Chiz Escudero at the Senate session on Wednesday. Based on a report on PhilStar, Cayetano claimed that he is praying for Escudero and he knows the situation of every senator.
“I’m praying for him. I know his circumstances. Many, many people close to me said a lot of things last night. Ang sabi ko, kung alam niyo lang ‘yung pinagdadananan nung bawat senador,” Cayetano said.
Furthermore, based on the post, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano also claimed that he loves Sen. Chiz Escudero as a brother. According to him, he knows what Escudero’s wife, Heart Evangelista, has gone through and he considers his being a father.
“I tell you honestly, I will be praying for him. I love him as a brother, alam ko ‘yung pinagdaanan ni Heart [Evangelista]. Alam kong ama siya,” the Senator expressed.
A hearing was held in the Senate this morning. The minority bloc was able to bring the 18 ex-marines to the session hall to deliver their testimony. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who maintained that he is the Senate president expressed his thanks to Sen. Robin Padilla.