SEN PIA CAYETANO NAPA IYAK SA PAMAMARIL NG SENADO! AT SA KASAMANG SENADOR MAINIT NA MENSAHE!

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Mr. President, I also will not um interpolate or make my own privileged speech today as uh requested by the Senate President. Uh I reserve my right to make the proper interventions at the time that uh the Senate President and our other colleagues agree upon. But I just want to make this quick statement.

[00:00:45]20 years.

[00:00:47]She has a 12year-old son.

[00:00:52]for media staff women and boys.

[00:01:12]Dear colleagues, and one more thing, some of you I've known for 20 years, 10 years, and I didn't even hear any of you see.

[00:01:45]Yes, I am very ready to share my story to ask questions.

[00:02:00]You have your own story. I respect that.

[00:02:03]But please respect my own story. Thank you, Mr. President.

[00:02:11]>> Mr. President, yes, of course, we uh sympathize with the manifestation made by Senator Piaano, but uh my position is merely to give a suggestion for your consideration and for the consideration of our colleagues. I think this particular issue once uh culminated should be referred to the committee of the whole. The reason being it is an extraordinary extraordinary remedy necessary because of the issues of Senate institutional security.

[00:02:46]Um the chamber itself is affected. Uh the institution is threatened.

[00:02:53]There are multiple Senate committees that are going to be involved. Public order, justice, rules, ethics. Subject matter also subject of Senator Risa's uh privilege. Subject matter also >> Teresa answered in the affirmative.

[00:03:14]>> Yes, Mr. President, considering that I was approached by your good self just moments ago and explained the matter that there is an apparent consensus that this subject matter also subject of Senator Risa's uh speech on uh question of privilege.

[00:03:33]I yield to the better judgment of the president of the Senate and I will hold my questions until Monday. Thank you Mr. President.

[00:03:40]>> Thank you Senator Marcetta. Thank you, Senator Risa.

[00:03:45]Minority Leader, may I just give uh you're my kuya, but she's my atte Yeah.

[00:03:51]Senator Pia to associate myself with the manifestation of Senator Irvin Tulfo standard operating procedure manual.

[00:04:03]Number one. Number two, firearms are these uh the members of the OSA, are they trained? And then number three, qualifications members. Who are they?

[00:04:17]What are their qualifications to be chosen as members of the OSA, Mr. President?

[00:04:23]>> Yes. So note your questions are uh noted and uh depends on what committee we refer it to. We will consult with the minority. will take a recess uh a a short uh suspension when we read the committee report because unless we agree to convert into a committee of a whole so that the certain people can testify here uh the other option is to give it to the to a standing committee. So let's decide that in a while and then lastly Mr. President Melbour training members situation and do they do they understand the meaning of uh rules of engagement, Mr. President?

[00:05:07]>> Yes. Thank you.

[00:05:08]>> Thank you for those questions.

[00:05:09]>> Senate, I move to elect the chairperson.

[00:05:11]Mr. >> President, just a quick manifestation.

[00:05:14]Sir, >> go ahead.

[00:05:16]>> Mr. President, I'd like to make a manifestation.

[00:05:21]What happened inside the Senate premises last week is deeply alarming.

[00:05:25]regardless of which side one stands politically. I know you will agree with me, Mr. President.

[00:05:33]Many versions of the armed confrontation are now circulating.

[00:05:37]Statements were made that the Senate was under attack while the executive denies of any offensive operation.

[00:05:44]Some claim that the tension was triggered by the recent changes in Senate leadership. There are allegations involving the OSA, the NBI, and even his speculation that the shooting itself was smokec screen to facilitate and escape or create confusion. And even more disturbing were allegations attempting to implicate the minority just because with all due respect, Mr. president. On May 12, a day before the incident, the new Senate leadership informed the body the intention to have an all senators caucus.

[00:06:20]On May 13, the day of the incident, around 5:02 p.m., it was modified to a majority only caucus.

[00:06:28]Naturally, members of the minority who were no longer part of those internal deliberations eventually went home. Mr. president to suggest that the mere fact that some senators were responsible for what later transpired just because they had already left the premises speculative, irresponsible and unsupported by evidence. But beyond the conflicting narratives, let us not forget the ordinary Senate employees and staff who were caught in the middle of the chaos.

[00:07:00]Rank and file, maintenance, security clerk, media.

[00:07:11]Yet they were the ones exposed to fear, confusion, and danger inside an institution where they should have felt secured. Some were traumatized, some feared for their safety.

[00:07:23]Mr. President, scapegoats collateral damage.

[00:07:30]At the same time, we must recognize the larger damage caused by this incident.

[00:07:35]Mr. President, millions of Filipinos and even the whole world watched this unfold in disbelief. They saw the confusion inside one of the highest institutions of the government.

[00:07:46]They saw conflicting authorities, conflicting narratives in an atmosphere that appeared closer to disorder than democratic governance.

[00:08:00]And because the public witness, the public deserves the truth and they have been waiting since Monday.

[00:08:32]particular action.

[00:08:43]Direct responsor When law enforcement operations intersect with the authority privileges and internal security protocols of another branch of government, there must be clarity, not confusion.

[00:09:32]restraint, not escalation.

[00:09:39]at NBI.

[00:09:41]But there is merit in the public outcry for an impartial, independent, and facts based investigation, transparent.

[00:10:00]At the end of the day, Mr. President, no camp wins when public confidence in institution is weakened. The Senate is not a venue for armed confrontation, Mr. President, or competing display of forces or political theater. It is a constitutional institution governed by law, order, and respect for due process.

[00:10:30]They are asking for truth, accountability and stability. And that is precisely what this institution owes them. Mr. President, in consultation, just minute in consultation with the majority leader, I will not rule that manifestation out of order because actually it is a privilege speech or it is actually a topic for personal or collective privilege. But since it's a matter of grave importance uh Senator Tulfo I share with you the sentiment of its grave importance uh myself I'm taking prudence and waiting for all the investigations.

[00:11:11]There are resolutions filed it will be referred to the proper committee but uh of the highest order in accordance with our rules and constitution is always the election of our officers organization.

[00:11:25]So unless anyone has a higher resolute a higher motion now because actually members of the majority have also asked to speak on that matter and we will allow everyone to speak on that matter but we will proceed first with the election of our committees. Uh majority leader >> minority leader >> minority leader then senator Risa.

[00:11:49]>> Thank you thank you your honor Mr. President. Um uh we concur but um um the reference the the the referral of uh the speech and the forthcoming um resolutions will be later on.

[00:12:08]>> Yes. Well, it's not a speech. It's a uh >> well it's a >> it's a manifestation. So unless there's a motion uh to refer which uh let's harmonize it later on with the uh resolution filed by the minority.

[00:12:24]>> Yes, I >> so that we do not refer it to different committees.

[00:12:27]>> Yes, I would like to file for a motion later on for the referral. That's in order.