Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed on Friday, July 31 that Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano privately sought at least five senators from the majority bloc to relay his request for a “ceasefire,” only to deny making such overtures immediately on social media.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook)

This further sank Cayetano’s overtures with some of their colleagues in the majority and casted doubts on his own sincerity, Lacson said following his allegations of anomalies in infrastructure projects in Taguig City, Cayetano’s political bailiwick.

“Where is your sincerity when you offer a ceasefire, then deny it at the first opportunity?” Lacson said on Friday in English and Filipino, in interviews on Radio DZBB and True FM.

According to Lacson, Cayetano privately asked at least five senators from the majority bloc to relay his request for a ceasefire and for the Senate to focus on legislative work.

But he publicly denied making such overtures in a Facebook livestream on Thursday (June 30) evening.

Asked to confirm if Cayetano was the one who sought a ceasefire, Lacson replied: “That is correct, absolutely.”

According to Lacson, Cayetano's ceasefire attempts started Wednesday last week, when the Taguig City lawmaker approached at least five members of the majority one by one to seek a halt to hostilities.

The efforts intensified Monday and Tuesday this week when he focused on one senator to relay his request.

Earlier in an interview, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said he had a productive discussion with Cayetano where they agreed to pass non-controversial priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and at the same time ironing out issues in the Senate brought about by the recent leadership changes in the Upper Chamber.

Zubiri promised to use his diplomatic skills to cool down the heated tensions in the Senate.

“There are still some hard feelings between members of the minority and majority. That’s what I’m working to resolve right now,” Zubiri told reporters after the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress.

“You know how it is with a change in leadership—the lingering resentment among our colleagues. But I think those issues would be resolved soon enough,” he pointed out.

According to Lacson, Cayetano’s request for a ceasefire was raised during the majority bloc’s caucus and fellowship last Wednesday.

“I said let's first see if he can show good faith before we even consider giving any attention or room to the offer of a ceasefire,” he said.

But then, he said Cayetano answered that question by publicly denying making the overtures on his recent Facebook livestream.

Also, Lacson cited a similar show of insincerity by Cayetano, who had asked Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo not to push through with hearings on the flood control scandal - yet when asked by media to comment, cast doubts on Tulfo's account.

“Where is the sincerity?” Lacson said.

He also said it is ironic for Cayetano to claim he wants the Senate to get back to work when it was his leadership coup last May 11 that disrupted the Upper Chamber’s work in the first place.

“He claims we should get back to work. In the first place, who disrupted and continues to disrupt the Senate's work?” he pointed out.

Lacson emphasized that the Senate has always been focused on its work since it elected Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore last June 3, and as Senate President last June 17.

Under Gatchalian’s leadership, Lacson noted that committees have already been organized, legislative inquiries have been lined up, and he himself has begun work as chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, including attending a briefing with the Department of Finance (DOF) in preparation for the committee hearings on the proposed 2027 national budget.