Cayetano to Minority Bloc: Defend the Senate’s Independence
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the minority bloc to cooperate in defending the independence and integrity of the Senate amid the controversies and pressures confronting the institution. Cayetano made the statement after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. According to Cayetano, it is vital to maintain the independence of the Senate as a separate and co-equal branch of government. “The Senate is a co-equal branch of government. It is not a prize to be claimed — by anyone,” Cayetano stated. He added that although there are existing disagreements within the Senate, these should be resolved inside the institution itself and not through external influence. The Senate President also emphasized that the legal standing of senators and the independence of the Senate as an institution must not be used as part of political negotiations. “I am speaking truth that each senator already knows — the independence of this institution, and the legal standing of any of its members, are not currencies. The day they become things to be traded, is the day that the Senate is diminished. And after the Senate, the Republic,” he remarked. According to Cayetano, the Senate is facing a deeper issue regarding the institution’s capability to remain independent amidst outside pressures and influence, rather than just a simple political disagreement. At the same time, he noted the successive pressures and threats of arrest against members of the majority, including Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, and Senator Joel Villanueva. The issue also touched upon the events of May 11 and May 13, where the Senate and its staff themselves are the ones being investigated, while the roles played by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the new Minority bloc in the events that caused tension within the Senate are being overlooked. Instead of jailing the masterminds of the flood scam involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, led by Henry Alcantara, the senators have instead become the targets. According to Cayetano, it is important to ensure that investigations and legal proceedings against members of the Senate do not become instruments of political pressure. He said that when fear and political pressure begin to prevail within the institution, the independence of the Senate as one of the primary pillars of democracy is placed in danger. “So I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: will you stand for the Senate’s independence?” Cayetano asked the minority bloc. He also challenged the senators to stand up for the Senate as an institution and not just for the interests of any political group or alliance. Furthermore, Cayetano suggested a “deliberate act” where the Senate would voluntarily go silent as a symbolic step against any form of outside interference. “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,” he added. According to Cayetano, how they protect the institution amid current challenges lies in the hands of every senator. “The door is open. What you do with it is yours to answer — to this institution, and to the people watching it,” he concluded.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the minority bloc to cooperate in defending the independence and integrity of the Senate amid the controversies and pressures confronting the institution.
Cayetano made the statement after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
According to Cayetano, it is vital to maintain the independence of the Senate as a separate and co-equal branch of government.
“The Senate is a co-equal branch of government. It is not a prize to be claimed — by anyone,” Cayetano stated.
He added that although there are existing disagreements within the Senate, these should be resolved inside the institution itself and not through external influence.
The Senate President also emphasized that the legal standing of senators and the independence of the Senate as an institution must not be used as part of political negotiations.
“I am speaking truth that each senator already knows — the independence of this institution, and the legal standing of any of its members, are not currencies. The day they become things to be traded, is the day that the Senate is diminished. And after the Senate, the Republic,” he remarked.
According to Cayetano, the Senate is facing a deeper issue regarding the institution’s capability to remain independent amidst outside pressures and influence, rather than just a simple political disagreement.
At the same time, he noted the successive pressures and threats of arrest against members of the majority, including Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, and Senator Joel Villanueva.
The issue also touched upon the events of May 11 and May 13, where the Senate and its staff themselves are the ones being investigated, while the roles played by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the new Minority bloc in the events that caused tension within the Senate are being overlooked.
Instead of jailing the masterminds of the flood scam involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, led by Henry Alcantara, the senators have instead become the targets.
According to Cayetano, it is important to ensure that investigations and legal proceedings against members of the Senate do not become instruments of political pressure.
He said that when fear and political pressure begin to prevail within the institution, the independence of the Senate as one of the primary pillars of democracy is placed in danger.
“So I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: will you stand for the Senate’s independence?” Cayetano asked the minority bloc.
He also challenged the senators to stand up for the Senate as an institution and not just for the interests of any political group or alliance.
Furthermore, Cayetano suggested a “deliberate act” where the Senate would voluntarily go silent as a symbolic step against any form of outside interference.
“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,” he added.
According to Cayetano, how they protect the institution amid current challenges lies in the hands of every senator.
“The door is open. What you do with it is yours to answer — to this institution, and to the people watching it,” he concluded.