Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said about P700 million in public funds was “wasted” during the 28-day tenure of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, claiming the chamber produced no meaningful legislative output during the period.
In a post on X, Lacson cited several incidents under Cayetano’s leadership, including a shooting incident inside the Senate two days after he assumed the post and the reported “escape” of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa while under Senate protective custody.
He also pointed to a boycott of plenary sessions by Cayetano’s bloc from June 1 to 3, which preceded moves by the faction of newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to declare all seats vacant after a quorum of 12 was established with the attendance of Sen. Francis Escudero before the Senate adjourned sine die.
The Cayetano bloc skipped the June 1 session in protest of the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada over plunder charges, and did not attend sessions on June 2 and 3, saying the former minority sought to take control of committee chairmanships, including the Blue Ribbon Committee, amid the flood control controversy.
Lacson also cited what he described as a “failed destabilization” attempt and an “unauthorized” Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that he said lacked attendance and proper proceedings.
“The Philippine Senate in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano: Estimated cost — P700 million. Output — chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite an ICC-issued warrant while under protective custody, session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, and unauthorized hearings, including one with no presiding officer and no senators present. What a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Lacson said the estimated P700 million figure is based on projections that the Senate spends roughly P25 million per day on operations.