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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Raffy Tulfo calls Alan Cayetano's bloc: 'Senate of the DDS'

Raffy Tulfo calls Alan Cayetano's bloc: 'Senate of the DDS'

Published Jun 9, 2026 04:02 pm
Senator Raffy Tulfo disputed claims made by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano that there are effectively “two Senates,” saying such remarks were very wrong, insisting that the current Senate leadership bloc is legitimate under established legal and institutional precedents.
Tulfo said the assertion that the chamber is being controlled or dictated by Malacañang is incorrect, arguing instead that their position is supported by jurisprudence and long-standing legal practice.
“Maling-mali yan pong sinabi ni Alan Peter Cayetano (What Alan Peter Cayetano is very wrong),” Tulfo said.
He cited the 1949 Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco as a key legal basis, along with past Senate precedents, including a 2015 instance involving a quorum of 12 members present. He also pointed to legal scholars, law professors, former justices, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) as having expressed support for their position.
Tulfo further said their leadership is recognized by both the executive branch and the House of Representatives, adding that this broad recognition affirms their legitimacy.
He then pushed back against Cayetano’s framing, saying:
“Senate of the DDS po siya. Kami po ang tunay na Senado ng Republika ng Pilipinas (They're the Senate of the DDS. We're the true Senate of the Philippine Republic),” he said.

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Raffy Tulfo Alan Peter Cayetano DDS Senate of the Philippines
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