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Counter-coup? Alan Cayetano bares minority senators intimidating members of majority to rejoin

Philippines | National

Counter-coup? Alan Cayetano bares minority senators intimidating members of majority to rejoin

By Hannah L. Torregoza

At A Glance

Newly-elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday, May 14 bared an alleged plot to oust him by members of the new minority bloc.

Newly-elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday, May 14 bared an alleged plot to oust him by members of the new minority bloc.

“Medyo busy sila ngayon, na tina-try kausapin yung mga miyembro namin na sumali ulit sa kanila (They’re a bit busy right now trying to talk to our members and convince them to join them again,” Cayetano said during a press briefing at the Senate.

The newly-installed Senate chief said it is indeed about another coup, against his leadership.

“Yes, that’s expected,” Cayetano said.

“Yes, may invitations to talk, may pananakot but dati na silang takot eh (there’s invitations to talk, there’s intimidation, but they have been scared even before),” he pointed out.

Asked if the 13 members of the new Senate majority bloc is solid, he replied: “You’re always solid until you’re not. But I believe in the 13. I believe in our cause.”

It was just last Monday, when Cayetano took the helm of the Senate leadership from Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III after securing 13 votes, including that of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who dramatically surfaced suddenly after six months of being absent from the Senate.

Dela Rosa completed the much-needed 13 votes to successfully remove a sitting Senate president.

Related Tags

Senate leadership Senate leadership change Alan Peter Cayetano majority bloc minority bloc

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