MANILA, Philippines —Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday alleged that the reorganization of the Senate leadership and committees was an "illegal coup d'etat" designed to halt the chamber's ongoing investigation into the alleged flood control scandal.
Speaking in a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano questioned the legality of the leadership change and warned that it could plunge both the Senate and the country into a political crisis.
Cayetano maintained that he remained the “legitimate, legal and moral Senate President of the Philippines.”
He argued that the Constitution allowed the Senate to conduct business only with a majority of all its members, or 13 senators, and claimed the group behind the leadership change had only 12 votes.
Cayetano said he would recognize a new Senate president if 13 senators voted for one, adding that he was not clinging to power.
“If they have 13, I will even administer the oath to them,” he said.
Cayetano said the Senate had adjourned last week and was scheduled to resume session on Monday, making arguments about a continuing quorum inapplicable.
He also questioned whether constitutional processes and democratic institutions were being disregarded.
“The question we have to ask ourselves is, is the Constitution but a piece of paper to this administration?” Cayetano said.
Cayetano maintained there was no legal basis for appointing an acting Senate president because he had neither resigned, been removed, died nor become incapacitated under Senate rules.
“This is an illegal coup d’etat with the discarding of our Constitution,” he said.
He warned that political infighting came at a time when many Filipinos were already struggling with economic challenges and global uncertainty.
Cayetano said he was defending the Constitution and the rule of law rather than his position.
“They can try to remove me. They can kill me. But they will not kill the idea of a democratic Philippines led not by men, but by laws,” he said.
The Senate resumed session after two days of inaction.
The "new majority" declared all leadership positions vacant, paving the way for a reorganization of the chamber and its committees.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate Pro Tempore and acting Senate president and took his oath before Sen Tito Sotto.
