Palace rips Cayetano, says others can be SP

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano listens to his sister, incumbent Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Senator Pia Cayetano, during a plenary session on May 12, 2026. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)

Malacañang on Sunday stressed that the Senate President must remain impartial and unbiased, saying the chamber’s leader should not be beholden to any political alliance or evade responsibility.

The Palace issued the seeming broadside at current Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano amid growing controversy over the chamber’s revived investigation into alleged anomalies in flood-control projects, barely a week after its leadership changed hands.

In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there are many qualified individuals who can serve as Senate President, but the position requires neutrality and a commitment to public service.

“Of course, the President only wants a leader there who does not create chaos and does not sow disorder,” Castro said in Filipino.

Cayetano earlier defended the majority bloc’s move to revive the Senate investigation into flood-control projects and rejected claims that creating the Blue Ribbon subcommittee was procedurally improper.

In a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, Cayetano maintained that Senate rules allow the formation of a subcommittee without waiting for approval from the full Senate in plenary.

“All the majority has to do is for the chairperson, Sen. Pia Cayetano, to issue the notice on Monday. It is not prohibited; that is in the rules,” he said.

Castro said the Palace shares the public’s desire for a Senate President who can lead fairly, uphold the law, and avoid actions that could undermine confidence in the institution.

“All our countrymen want leadership that favors no one, allows no fugitive to escape, does not promote even fake news, and does not twist the law or manipulate voters for personal interests,” she added.

Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains hands-off regarding the Senate’s internal affairs amid persistent speculation about a possible leadership change in the chamber.

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III had argued that subcommittees must first be formally established by the Senate during a plenary session, which cannot happen until lawmakers reconvene on Monday.

Cayetano cited Senate rules allowing committee chairpersons to designate vice chairpersons and create subcommittees as necessary.

“Of all the possible reactions, why does it seem they really do not want this to continue?” he said. He also said the Senate majority was attempting to address longstanding problems in government.

“Until we have true repentance and true reforms, corruption will continue at the highest levels,” Cayetano said.

The revived investigation will be conducted by a Blue Ribbon subcommittee headed by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and is scheduled to resume hearings on June 4.

The move has drawn criticism from lawmakers and political figures who questioned both its timing and its possible impact on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson for the House prosecution panel in the impeachment case, said the Senate’s decision to proceed with the flood-control investigation ahead of the trial has raised questions about the chamber’s priorities.

“The investigation into the flood-control projects will start, but the trial against the Vice President is pending,” Adiong said.

He argued that agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman should be allowed to continue handling the matter to avoid confusion.

Adiong also claimed the new Senate majority was attempting to redirect public attention away from the impeachment proceedings.

“I believe that is the narrative they want to pursue. They want to cover up the trial,” he said.

While acknowledging that both issues involve questions of accountability, Adiong argued that the impeachment trial should take precedence.

“What is more important, the accountability of the nation’s second highest-ranking official or the accountability of lesser-ranked officials?” he asked.

Adiong likewise cited Sotto’s position that the subcommittee should have first been approved in plenary.

Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre also questioned the timing of the subcommittee’s creation, noting that a draft report from earlier Blue Ribbon hearings led by Sen. Panfilo Lacson was already awaiting signatures.

“Why the sudden shift? Why the sudden urgency? Is this being done to undermine the impeachment process?” Acidre said.

Lacson’s partial report reportedly needs two more senators’ signatures before it can be endorsed on the Senate floor and sponsored by the committee chairperson. A copy has already been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon urged the Senate to ensure that the flood-control investigation does not interfere with the impeachment proceedings.

“In my view, the flood-control probe should not be in conflict with the investigation and impeachment proceedings against the Vice President,” Ridon said.

Ridon noted that the House of Representatives had already referred matters involving alleged flood-control irregularities to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Among those facing charges is Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, a vice chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, who is facing plunder and graft complaints filed by the Ombudsman in connection with flood-control projects.

Meanwhile, political scientist and La Salle professor Julio Teehankee said recent developments have diminished the Senate’s stature and exposed unusually sharp divisions within the institution.

In an interview with Bilyonaryo, he said restoring the chamber’s credibility would require leadership capable of building consensus and listening to fellow senators.

“We have seen under the current Senate president that he is confrontational, and that has been his mark in politics. If your Senate president is confrontational in a volatile political situation like this, there will really be trouble,” Teehankee said. — Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable & Rio N. Araja