Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday claimed the leadership dispute in the Senate has effectively created “two Senates,” as he accused the rival bloc of being aligned with Malacañang amid the continuing standoff over control of the chamber.
At a press conference, Cayetano said he had proposed a dual-signature arrangement with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for key Senate documents to prevent disruptions in the chamber’s operations and the work of the impeachment court while the leadership row remains unresolved.
He said the proposal was meant to avoid complications involving official documents, financial transactions, and the salaries of Senate employees, especially after the Gatchalian bloc allegedly refused to recognize Jose Luis Montales as Senate secretary.
“Ang sagot nila nung 12 o’clock is that hindi na siya ang secretary at mag-turn over na lang,” Cayetano said, referring to Montales.
He said he was willing to accommodate arrangements that would protect Senate personnel, provided they did not violate the law or the Constitution.
“I’ll never bend the law nor will I bend the Constitution, but I will bend backward for our employees para hindi maipit sa gulo for as long as it doesn’t bend the law,” Cayetano said.
After the proposal was allegedly rejected, Cayetano said the dispute had produced what he described as two competing centers of authority.
“Dalawang Senado. Isang Senate of the Philippines, isang Senate of Malacañang,” he said.
Cayetano also criticized Monday’s Blue Ribbon Committee meeting under the Gatchalian faction, calling it a “committee to absolve” high officials allegedly linked to the flood control controversy.
He said his camp’s version of the Blue Ribbon Committee remains focused on finding the truth, although he clarified that they are not automatically accepting the claims of the so-called “18 maleta boys.”
“What I’m saying is give them a chance. I heard they have other evidence, including videos,” he said, adding that other witnesses may also surface with documents and evidence.
Cayetano claimed the country now has to decide whether the Senate will remain independent or fall “under the thumb of Malacañang.”
He further alleged that the Blue Ribbon meeting held by the rival bloc amounted to a cover-up of the flood control controversy.
“And now it is clear to us that the biggest ever corruption scandal is the flood control scandal. If it’s acceptable to us what we witnessed this morning, the biggest coverup committee hearing of our generation,” he said.
Cayetano said he would consult Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the possibility of having two Blue Ribbon Committee chairmen so resource persons and witnesses could appear before the Senate without fear of harassment.