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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Alan Cayetano insists: 'There's no question Senate was under attack'

Alan Cayetano insists: 'There's no question Senate was under attack'

Published May 14, 2026 06:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Newly-installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano insisted on Thursday, May 14 that the Senate indeed was under attack on Wednesday night.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano (Screenshot from Facebook live)
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano (Screenshot from Facebook live)

Newly-installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano insisted on Thursday, May 14 that the Senate indeed was under attack on Wednesday night. 

A visibly irked Cayetano reiterated his belief during a press briefing at the Senate after confirming that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who is under protective custody of the Senate, has left the Upper Chamber’s premises. 

“Kung tutukan kita ng baril, at papasukin ko ang bahay mo na may baril ako. Nag warning shot ka, pinutukan kita pabalik. Is it not an attack?” Cayetano asked.

“Sorry ha, but I dont think there’s any question that the Senate is under attack, was under attack!” he shouted.

“All of you, all of you , your lives were in danger last night. I know it’s your job to ask the question but you will tell me pag may nagpaputok ng (if somebody made a) warning shot, hindi under attack yun (that’s not under attack)?” he pointed out to members of the media. 

“My god, we are a democracy! This is the Senate of the Philippines! Please naman di ba, what do you think happens when there’s no democracy? Who’s the first casualty? The media! Wala nang media pagka wala (democracy),” he argued.

Cayetano said those questioning his account of the turn of events during the chaos in the Senate are not doubting his statements but the country’s democracy.

“Pag sinabing kami muna nagpaputok, umatras sila or security ng GSIS, yun sabihin nyo baka ito ay gawa gawa lang? Nag co-caucus kami dito hinihintay namin articles of impeachment (If we said we were the first to fire the shot, and they moved back, does that mean it was just made up? We were having a caucus here while waiting for the articles of impeachment),” he said.

“Napakagaling ko naman mag-orchestrate ng lahat ng yan, kaya kong papuntahin dito lahat ng mga armadong grupo (Am I that good at orchestrating everything? Can I muster armed men to come here)? he pointed out.

“You know my history I’ve been in government since 1992. Do I have any history of doing that? Or in Taguig, have I done something like that?” he lamented. 

“I’m not taking offense at the question. You know, if you have any doubt, you’re doubting our democracy not doubting my statements,” he pointed out. 

Related Tags

Senate leadership Alan Peter Cayetano siege Bato Dela Rosa
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