Cayetano refuses to join any Senate floor — for now

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he is not choosing any Senate floor yet.

Asked if he would join the majority or minority, Cayetano replied “Or” clarifying that it meant “under observation.”

Cayetano said he would join a Senate coalition that would support the president.  

“I will go with the group that supports the president,” Cayetano told the reporters during a chance interview before President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“So kung sasabihin natin susuporta tayo sa president pero rather than, ‘yung taas ng sweldo ng pulis rather than ‘yung procedure para hindi na lang yung pulis ‘yung laging, nakakasuhan uunahin mo imbestigahan ang human rights ng alleged extrajudicial killing pero wala ka naming ebidensya ng extrajudicial killing, will that be supporting the president or hindi?” he explained.

Cayetano said the coalition’s support must not be 100 percent but at least he is willing to support “anyone or any group that supports the president.” “ But it has to be more than the names,” he added.

He said that since the country has new leadership, Cayetano encourages his colleagues to support the programs of the new administration.

Cayetano mentioned that he would also support Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. He clarified that he has no bad blood with his former rival in the senate presidency.

“When I see him [Pimentel], I’ll congratulate him. I’m happy for him,” Cayetano said.

“Wala naman kailangang ipag-dialogue basta sumoporta lang yung coalition,” he added.

Pimentel was voted senate president by 20 senators.

RELATED: Pimentel elected as Senate president