2 hours ago
2
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano assures on May 18, 2026 that Senate work and pending measures continue despite the leadership change in the chamber, with the Senate approving two priority measures on Third Reading on his second day as Senate president.
Senate Social Media Unit / Joseph B. Vidal via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson criticized the 28-day Senate leadership standoff under former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, saying the impasse cost taxpayers an estimated P700 million while producing “chaos” and legislative inaction.
In a post on X on Thursday, June 18, Lacson said the Senate’s daily operating expenses were estimated at around P25 million based on the calculations of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who previously chaired the finance committee.
“THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano: Estimated Cost - P700M. Output - chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its ‘protective custody’, session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings highlighted by one not presided nor attended by a single senator,” Lacson said in his post.
“WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY!” he added.
In a separate reply to a comment, Lacson elaborated on the P700-million estimate, saying it was based on the Senate’s expenses under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
“As per estimate made by the erstwhile Finance committee chairman, now SP Gatchalian, under the 2026 GAA, the Senate spends approximately P25M/day — salaries, allowances, MOOE, etc. Multiply that by 28 days of inaction and inactivity, it’s P700M,” Lacson said.
The 28-day period referred to the leadership dispute that followed a series of developments in the Senate.
The conflict began after Cayetano replaced Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as Senate president on May 11. It escalated on June 3 when senators adopted a motion declaring all Senate leadership positions vacant following an alleged boycott by Cayetano’s allies.
The standoff left the chamber unable to fully act on pending legislative measures and other matters before Congress adjourned on June 6.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later called for a special session to allow Congress to tackle priority measures and other pending matters.
The leadership row was eventually settled on June 17 during the first special session of the 20th Congress, when senators elected Gatchalian as Senate president, replacing Cayetano.
The election followed the attendance of 13 senators during the special session, including Sen. Joel Villanueva, who was previously aligned with Cayetano’s group. His presence helped provide the quorum needed for Gatchalian’s camp to formalize the leadership change.
Following Gatchalian’s election, the Senate reorganized its committees, including the election of new chairpersons and members of key panels. — with a report from John Marwin Elao
