Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday defended the independence of the current Senate majority and said the chamber must remain a strong check on the Executive to protect democratic institutions.
In a Facebook Live address, Cayetano said good governance depends on checks and balances among the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature, warning that a weak or controlled legislature could lead to abuse of power.
“Good governance kasi is about doing the right thing,” Cayetano said. “Ibig sabihin, interdependent ang Executive, ang Judiciary, ang Legislature. But napaka-importante na independent ang Legislative, ang Judiciary from the Executive. Kasi kung hindi, dictatorship iyon.”
Cayetano claimed the current Senate majority is the first under the Marcos administration to be fully independent from Malacañang in the selection of the Senate President and committee leadership.
“I can dare say this is the first fully independent Majority,” he said.
He said political tensions inside the Senate stem from discomfort over the chamber’s independence, adding that the majority has faced pressure, intimidation, and threats in relation to leadership and voting alignments.
Cayetano also defended the Senate’s handling of the impeachment proceedings, saying the process must be impartial and guided by evidence, not by assumptions of conviction or acquittal.
“Impartial, ibig sabihin po, base sa ebidensiya at tamang proseso,” he said.
He pushed back against criticism over recent discussions on possible Senate rule changes, including teleconferencing and online voting. Cayetano said senators had not yet voted on the actual amendment, but only on whether to take it up for debate.
“Hindi pa namin pinagbobotohan yung amendment sa rule na papayag po sa teleconferencing or online na pagboboto. Ang pinagbobotohan pa lang ho whether or not pag-uusapan ito,” he said.
He also criticized the walkout of opposition senators, saying the matter could have been handled through debate and amendments.
Beyond the political clash, Cayetano said the Senate should return focus to urgent national concerns such as inflation, unemployment, education, teenage pregnancy, rising AIDS cases, overseas Filipino worker issues, and corruption.
“Ang importanteng numbers ay inflation, yung dropout sa eskwelahan, yung pagtaas ng kaso ng AIDS, pagtaas ng teenage pregnancy, ang dami natin kailangang pag-usapan ng priorities,” he said.
Cayetano said the Senate investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects will resume next Thursday, June 4, through a subcommittee. He said Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is expected to issue hearing notices on Monday.
“A subcommittee will be formed and Senator Marcoleta will issue the notices on Monday para ituloy na sa Thursday y’ung flood control scam hearings,” he said.
“It will be impartial and we want the whole truth and not only some truth,” he added.
Cayetano said the Senate must pursue accountability in the flood control controversy while ensuring that the inquiry is fair and not selective.
He also questioned ongoing investigations related to the May 11 and May 13 incidents involving senators, including claims surrounding Sens. Robin Padilla and Ronald dela Rosa, saying authorities should avoid overreach and political framing.
Throughout his address, Cayetano framed the current Senate conflict as a test of institutional independence, due process, and public trust.
“Meron kayong Senado na lalaban at hahanapin ang katotohanan,” he said. “But our country is worth it.”