SENATORS Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano have left the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Thursday but declined to say where the siblings went or provide details of their trips.
Although Alan Peter is under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged anomalies in flood control and infrastructure projects in Taguig City, the BI said its records showed that neither senator was subject to a hold departure order or had a derogatory record that would have legally barred them from leaving the Philippines.
BI deputy spokesman Malvin Mabulac said the bureau could not say when they left, where they were headed, the purpose of their trips and when they were expected to return, because this information was protected by the Data Privacy Act.
Alan Peter Cayetano was photographed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Wednesday near Gate 109, apparently preparing to board a Singapore Airlines flight. He was accompanied by his sister Pia and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Cayetanos’ trip was personal and did not require notification to the Senate.
Gatchalian said he was not aware of the reason for the Cayetanos to leave, but said there is no policy requiring senators to notify the Senate when traveling abroad for personal reasons.
He explained that disclosure and travel authority are required for official trips, particularly those involving official invitations or expenses shouldered by the Senate, such as airfare, hotel accommodations and staff costs.
Gatchalian also said he and Cayetano had not spoken recently, with their last meeting taking place during a Senate session where they discussed several proposed bills.
‘Let him take a break’
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said he sees no issue “as of the moment” on Cayetano’s trip, saying he should be allowed to take a break from the stress he himself created, in an apparent reference to infrastructure projects in Taguig City that Lacson said were anomalous.
In a social media post, Lacson sincerely wished Cayetano well despite their differences, especially if Cayetano and his wife were traveling for health-related reasons.
“For all we know, Sen Alan and his wife’s trip has something to do with reproductive health, which Singapore is known for. If it is simply health related, I sincerely wish him well despite our animosities,” he added.
The Senate minority chief is being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with alleged irregularities in the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
At that time, Cayetano was chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.
Moreover, Lacson and his office have submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman at least 45 case studies backed by official documents detailing “systemic anomalies” in flood control infrastructure projects in Taguig City, Cayetano’s bailiwick.
The Office of the Ombudsman has also confirmed that it has launched a fact-finding investigation into the allegations involving the projects in Taguig City.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III said he was not aware of the Cayetanos’ trip abroad.
“Senators are not compelled to ask permission to leave the country,” he added.
