Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that he remains the legitimate, legal and moral Senate President following changes in committee leadership approved during a Senate session on Wednesday, June 3.
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano criticized the actions taken during the session and described the committee reshuffle as an “illegal coup d’état.”
According to Cayetano, there is no legal basis for the designation of an acting Senate President because he continues to be capable of performing his duties as head of the Senate.
His remarks came after senators approved a series of leadership and committee changes during a session held earlier in the day. The developments marked the latest escalation in an ongoing dispute within the Senate over leadership and chamber operations.
Cayetano rejected the validity of the actions taken during the session, arguing that his position as Senate President remains unchanged. He asserted that he continues to hold the office both legally and morally despite the decisions made by the Senate.
The Senate leader also addressed the planned inquiry into the alleged flood control scandal. He said the hearing scheduled for the following day would proceed as planned.
His statement contradicted remarks made by newly elected committee chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo regarding the status of the hearing.
The dispute over Senate leadership and committee assignments has drawn attention to the chamber’s internal disagreements, particularly regarding authority and the conduct of Senate proceedings.
As of Wednesday, Cayetano continued to recognize himself as the Senate President and maintained that actions taken to alter leadership arrangements lacked legal foundation.
The disagreement also extended to the planned flood control investigation, with conflicting statements emerging from Senate officials on whether the hearing would move forward.
No further details were immediately provided regarding the resolution of the leadership dispute or the scheduled committee hearing.
