A heated exchange erupted in the Senate on Tuesday after Sen. Raffy Tulfo accused Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano of stalling the election of minority members to two key committees, prompting Sen. Pia Cayetano to step in and defend her absent brother.
Tulfo, who chairs the Public Services and Migrant Workers committees, expressed frustration during his manifestation, noting that Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri “extended all efforts to formalize the election of the members of the committee on public services, and migrant workers.”
Despite minority senators confirming their intent to join, Tulfo claimed the delay is stalling critical legislation.
“What disturbs me is the inaction of the minority floor leader to confirm these memberships that hold important LEDAC bills hostage such as the (creation of the) Department of Water, crucial franchise bills, and the OFW reintegration bills,” Tulfo said. Addressing the absent minority leader, he added, “If you have time to go on FB Live, maybe you have time to confirm or give the go signal to your minority members.”
Sen. Pia Cayetano quickly pushed back against Tulfo’s remarks, arguing that he should have raised the matter directly with her rather than taking it to the floor.
“Sen. Tulfo, madali niyo naman akong tanungin. Alam niyo namang kapatid ko si Alan kung may gusto kayong iparating. Huwag na ho kayong mag-drama nang may pa-hostage-hostage. Di ho tayo ganito dito,” she said, offering to speak with her brother directly.
Tulfo rejected the accusation of grandstanding, firing back: “Never po ako nag-drama dito… Sino ang nagda-drama? Tumingin muna kayo sa salamin bago kayo magsalita.”
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian noted that 32 committees have yet to fully convene, while Zubiri assured the chamber that the membership issue would be resolved with the Minority Leader, who has been under the weather.