Cayetano accountable for Senate gunfire – Drilon

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano must take full responsibility for the gunfire inside the Senate building as the leadership “lost control of the situation,” former Senate president Franklin Drilon said yesterday.

Drilon reminded his former colleagues that the Senate president exercises absolute authority over the chamber’s compound, making Cayetano ultimately accountable for the violent clash involving Senate security forces.

“Under Senate rules, the Senate president has control over the premises of the Senate and Sen. Cayetano is the leader of the Senate, he has the full responsibility to know what really happened at the Senate,” he told reporters.

Asked if Cayetano was in command when the gunfire erupted, Drilon said he believes the Senate President lost control of the situation.

Despite this, Drilon stopped short of explicitly demanding Cayetano’s resignation, leaving the decision up to the Senate chief.

“It is up to him. Stepping down as SP, that is among Senator Alan’s responsibilities. I will leave that decision to him,” Drilon explained.

Looking at the broader political landscape, Drilon said recent maneuvers in the chamber appear to be heavily motivated by the looming 2028 national elections.

“This is why I am asking my former colleagues – don’t focus entirely on politics or 2028,” he said.

‘Give Cayetano a chance’

As the Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court today amid swirling rumors of another leadership coup, Sen. Erwin Tulfo urged the public to give Cayetano a chance, arguing it is too early to blame him for the recent gunfire unless investigations point to his direct involvement.

“(It is) unfair for us to say he should be immediately replaced,” Tulfo told radio dzBB.

“Maybe it’s time we give him the chance to see whether he is fit for the role,” he added.

Meanwhile, alumni from two rival political organizations at the University of the Philippines have issued a joint statement calling for the ouster of Cayetano as Senate President, following last week’s events at the chamber.