Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano holds press conference — May 14, 2026

[0:00] I will discuss with you muna yung receipt ng articles of impeachment. [0:06] I just want to address one issue. [0:11] So may umiikot sa internet na kinonfirm daw ng PNP yung statement daw ni Chief of Staff Bronner [0:18] that it was my security guards lang daw ang nagpaputok. [0:21] That's fake news. [0:23] Since last night when Sec. Janvic came here, we've been hearing conspiracy theories from both sides. [0:31] One side that it's the government that attacked and the president called me, President Bongbong Marcos, [0:38] and assured me it wasn't government. [0:40] But I told him our concerns about the NBI. [0:44] And I told him, I thanked the president for the immediate call. [0:49] I informed him that we're safe at that point in time. [0:52] And I informed him of the inconsistencies ng statement ng NBI. [0:55] But I told him I agreed with Sec. Janvic for a joint independent investigation. [1:03] Bakit joint? [1:04] Kasi jurisdiction ito ng USA at ng Senate. [1:09] On the other hand, I was already aware at that time na all the way to the highest echelons of government, [1:16] may nagsasabi that ito ay gawa-gawa. [1:19] So the accusations are all over. [1:23] So in the same manner that the PNP, the AFP, [1:28] mabilis sila mag-deny pag may fake news against the government, the administration, [1:37] inaasahan ko na mabilis sila mag-deny na fake news against the Senate, [1:41] against the Senate President, [1:43] and against the integrity of the whole process. [1:46] The investigation is ongoing. [1:48] At meron na arresto last night. [1:51] Okay? [1:51] Di lang namin nilalabas yung detalye, [1:53] because once you say three-letter words, [1:56] di ba? [1:58] Once you say that it's a certain agency, [2:00] may conclusion na kaagad ang tao na government o hindi. [2:03] Kaya nga independent, [2:04] and let's not jump into conclusions. [2:06] Okay? [2:07] So by the time I meet you later, [2:08] it's about an hour, [2:09] I'll meet muna the 150 top officials of the Senate. [2:14] I will give you more details about that. [2:17] I also ordered the Sergeant at Arms to go to the offices and check kung nandyan si Senator Bato o wala, [2:26] and to give me a spot report dun sa reports na umalis ng 2.50 a.m. [2:30] There are many questions there. [2:32] I will answer all of it later. [2:34] Okay? [2:36] He will get back. [2:41] Oh, 100%. [2:42] I mean, [2:43] I can tell you honest to goodness, [2:45] none of the senators who were here last night [2:48] knew that was gonna happen. [2:50] And the shots were fired from both sides. [2:53] I mean, [2:53] you have the videos, [2:54] guys, [2:54] and even before umalis si Sec. John Vic, [2:57] may, [2:59] sa kabila daw may ano talaga. [3:00] That's why I asked for access sa osaas, [3:03] sa kabilang side ng building, [3:04] sa GSIS. [3:05] But let me go to the articles of impeachment. [3:07] It will be very transparent, no? [3:09] So, I'll sign before you a letter. [3:12] I'll give you a copy, [3:13] but of course, [3:16] i-transmit ko muna. [3:17] But I will read it to you. [3:26] The Honorable Faustino Bocidi III, [3:29] Speaker, [3:30] House of Representatives, [3:32] Batasan Hills, [3:33] Quezon City. [3:34] R.E. [3:36] Articles of Impeachment [3:37] Against Vice President [3:38] Sarah Zimmerman Duterte. [3:41] Your Honor, [3:42] the Senate is in receipt [3:43] of the resolution [3:44] setting forth [3:45] the articles of impeachment [3:46] against Vice President [3:48] Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [3:51] including all annexes thereto, [3:54] transmitted by the House of Representatives. [3:57] Pursuant to Rule 1 [3:58] of the Senate Rules of Procedure [4:00] on Impeachment Trials, [4:01] the Senate has taken proper order [4:04] of the impeachment [4:05] and shall immediately [4:07] proceed to its consideration, [4:10] consistent with its mandate [4:12] under Article 11, [4:14] Section 3 of the Constitution. [4:15] The Secretariat [4:17] has been directed [4:18] to include [4:18] the Articles of Impeachment [4:19] in the Calendar [4:20] for Ordinary Business [4:21] for Referral [4:22] to the Impeachment Court [4:24] which shall be convened [4:26] on 18 May 2026, [4:30] 3 p.m. [4:30] or at the possible [4:31] soonest time [4:32] absent any question [4:34] on the rules [4:35] and procedure [4:36] related to the [4:37] transmitted articles. [4:39] The parties shall [4:40] in due course [4:41] be directed [4:42] to appear [4:43] before the Senate [4:44] sitting as an impeachment [4:45] court on a date [4:46] to be determined [4:48] subsequently. [4:49] We trust the foregoing [4:51] is in order. [4:52] Thank you. [4:52] Very truly yours, [4:54] Alan Peter Cayetano, [4:55] Senate President. [4:56] Copy furnished, [4:57] the Honorable Zara Z. [4:59] Duterte, [5:00] Vice President, [5:00] Republic of the Philippines. [5:05] So we'll send this. [5:07] Pagka send, [5:09] we'll give you a copy. [5:10] yung countersign, [5:12] someone countersign. [5:15] Secgen siguro [5:16] countersign. [5:16] Okay. [5:45] Before I send [5:47] let me [5:51] tell you a little bit more [5:54] about the procedure. [5:55] Okay. [5:56] So sa Monday, [5:57] nasa order of business [5:58] yun, [5:59] ibibigay sa rules [6:00] like any other, [6:02] yung majority leader [6:03] or acting majority leader [6:04] kanyang i-pre-present. [6:07] The likely scenario is [6:08] we will organize [6:09] muna the Senate [6:10] so may mga committees [6:11] take that up [6:12] from the majority side [6:14] from the majority side [6:15] kasi nag-cocos kami [6:16] kagabi. [6:17] I don't see any [6:18] amendments to the rules. [6:20] So if there's going [6:21] to be any, [6:22] I'm not saying [6:22] there will be, [6:23] I want to be clear, [6:25] I'm not saying, [6:26] I'm not accusing [6:27] anyone of delays. [6:29] I'm saying [6:30] it won't come [6:31] from the majority [6:31] kasi nag-meeting kami [6:32] kagabi, [6:33] we are happy [6:34] with the former rules. [6:36] Kung ano yung [6:36] good na rules [6:37] sa mga dating na impeach, [6:39] good din sa amin ngayon. [6:41] So kaya lang, [6:42] hindi ko matatanggal [6:43] yung karapatan [6:44] ng bawat senador [6:45] na tumayo. [6:46] Ang problema, [6:47] madi-delay [6:47] kung babaguhin pa [6:48] yung rules [6:48] kasi ipapublish pa [6:50] ulit yun. [6:51] But from the majority, [6:52] that's why sa letter, [6:53] I just wanted to be safe, [6:55] sinabi ko doon [6:56] on Monday [6:57] or the soonest time [6:58] or fourth week. [7:00] If everyone agrees [7:02] on the rule, [7:03] I do not see any reason [7:04] why [7:04] hindi kami makapag-convene [7:07] sa Monday. [7:08] So ano mangyayari [7:09] pag nag-convene? [7:10] May motion to convene, [7:12] ako muna mag-o-oath [7:13] as presiding officer [7:14] of the impeachment court [7:15] and then yung 23 na senador. [7:19] After that, [7:19] our job is to [7:20] issue the summons. [7:23] Okay? [7:23] And then from that time on, [7:25] pag sumagot na, [7:27] di ba, [7:27] under na yung process. [7:29] I'll brief you more [7:30] about the process later on [7:31] and probably, [7:33] kung hindi Monday mismo [7:34] or Tuesday, [7:35] we will have a caucus [7:36] para yung calendar. [7:39] So the biggest issue [7:40] for me [7:41] is the balancing [7:43] between the legislative work [7:45] given the mga crisis [7:47] na humaharap. [7:48] Kung maganda takbo [7:49] ng ekonomiya [7:50] and we don't need [7:51] any urgent legislation, [7:53] pwedeng mag 90-95% [7:55] sa impeachment court. [7:56] Unless nga sabihin [7:59] ng mga senador, [8:00] pwede pa rin, [8:00] bilisan na lang. [8:01] But you know, [8:02] madaling sabihin, [8:03] yung sarili mo lang [8:04] inasahan mo, [8:05] alamawa, [8:05] Alan, [8:06] bilisan mo sa pagpunta [8:06] ng Senate, [8:07] Alan, [8:08] bilisan mo yung sulat. [8:09] That's under my control [8:10] more or less, [8:10] di ba? [8:11] But when you say [8:12] it's a trial, [8:14] you cannot stop [8:14] both sides [8:15] for presenting [8:16] the number of witnesses [8:17] na gusto nilang sabihin. [8:19] So madaling sabihin [8:19] bilisan [8:20] at madaling sabihin [8:21] it will finish [8:21] by this month [8:22] or that month [8:22] but all of those [8:24] will be approximations. [8:25] Okay? [8:26] Any question? [8:26] Once you convene [8:34] and issue the summons, [8:35] de-diretsyo na yun. [8:36] Pero yung trial proper [8:40] po ay after all the procedures. [8:43] Yeah. [8:45] Susundin mo lang [8:46] yung number of days. [8:47] So walang delay yun. [8:48] Kung ano na sa rules, [8:49] kung ano na constitution yun. [8:50] So trial proper [8:51] or maybe in June? [8:53] Maybe in June? [8:54] So you're going to try [8:54] and talk about it? [8:55] July? [8:56] I don't want [8:58] to preempt [8:58] the calendar. [8:59] But if it's 15 days, [9:02] so we will follow. [9:04] Actually what we're doing now [9:05] after the meeting [9:06] then seeing you, [9:07] we're going to [9:08] make a draft calendar. [9:09] So the calendar [9:11] will not be based [9:12] on anything [9:13] that is discretionary. [9:14] It will be based [9:15] on objectivity. [9:17] So kung nakalagay sa rules, [9:18] ganitong number of days [9:19] para sumagot, [9:20] this number of days [9:21] sumagot, [9:21] then trial na kaagad. [9:23] So ano po ngayon [9:23] ang sagot, [9:24] SP, [9:25] doon sa sinabi na [9:25] yung pagpapalit [9:26] ng liderato [9:27] ng Senado [9:28] ay parang [9:28] mablock [9:29] yung impeachment [9:29] trial? [9:31] Again, [9:32] I'm trying to get [9:33] a United Senate. [9:34] Unprecedented yung [9:35] attack against the Senate. [9:37] First nung Monday [9:38] na hinabol sa loob, [9:40] hinagod-hinabol [9:41] sa loob ng Senate [9:42] ang isang senador, [9:43] ginulpe ang isang [9:44] member ng USAa, [9:46] and then last night [9:48] the armed attack [9:49] on the Senate, [9:49] unprecedented yan. [9:51] Diba? [9:51] So I'm trying [9:53] to unite the Senate, [9:55] the Senators [9:55] are people, [9:57] by just simply [9:57] following the law. [9:59] The Constitution, [10:00] our rules, [10:00] and what is right. [10:02] Diba? [10:02] So sabi ko naman sa inyo [10:03] lahat, [10:04] dalawa lang libro ko, [10:05] yung Bible, [10:05] yung Constitution. [10:07] Everything else [10:08] follows. [10:09] Even the Constitution [10:10] for me has to [10:11] follow the Bible. [10:12] Diba? [10:12] Having said that, [10:14] we will follow. [10:15] So walang magiging delays. [10:16] I can tell you [10:17] anything now [10:18] as you ask, [10:18] diba, [10:19] kailan yung trial? [10:20] So if I have the trial [10:21] July-August, [10:22] dinilay ko. [10:23] Offhand lang SD, [10:24] offhand lang SD, [10:25] for you, [10:25] trial ko ba ay dapat [10:27] aro Friday [10:29] or LWF? [10:30] Offhand for you? [10:31] Offhand, [10:31] either Monday to Wednesday [10:32] or Monday to Thursday. [10:34] Definitely, [10:34] hindi ang na Friday [10:35] because you need [10:36] a motion day. [10:40] Diba? [10:40] So, [10:41] and the question [10:41] for me, [10:42] the bigger question [10:43] to me is it [10:43] Monday to Wednesday, [10:45] whole day, [10:46] and then Thursday, [10:48] may committee hearings, [10:48] or is it Monday to Thursday, [10:51] half-day hearings, [10:52] half-day, [10:53] ano, [10:54] so definitely mag-extend kami, [10:55] diba? [10:55] So kung dati, [10:57] nag-hearing ka either [10:58] 9, 10 o'clock [10:59] hanggang 2.45 [11:00] or 3, [11:01] and then 3 to 7 [11:02] or 8 yung ano, [11:03] nagagawa naman namin [11:04] sa budget yung [11:05] magdamagan eh. [11:07] But remember, [11:08] I think, [11:09] mga 2 weeks yun eh, [11:10] na magdamagan. [11:11] So I don't think [11:12] kaya naman yung [11:13] magdamagan [11:14] ng 2 months, [11:17] diba? [11:17] I don't know eh. [11:19] I don't know. [11:19] It depends kasi kung [11:21] ilan witnesses, [11:22] it depends sa articles. [11:23] That's why I don't want [11:24] to speculate. [11:28] In my letter, [11:29] we're bound by that. [11:30] Sa caucus, [11:31] agree kami lahat, [11:32] there's no reason [11:33] whatsoever [11:33] to dili-dali. [11:35] Okay? [11:36] Having said that, [11:37] syempre, [11:37] kung may nag-bring up [11:38] na ito yung mga ganyan-ganyan, [11:40] et cetera, et cetera, [11:41] bukas na yan [11:42] or whatever ganyan, [11:43] baka magbutuhan. [11:45] But so far, [11:46] yung aming 13 [11:47] ang sinasabi, [11:49] there's no reason [11:50] why not to convene [11:51] and take our oath [11:52] on Monday. [11:52] Just to be sure, [11:53] you are asking [11:54] the prosecution team [11:55] to be here on Monday [11:56] for the... [11:57] It's their option. [11:59] To what, sir? [12:00] To report, sir? [12:01] About the articles of information? [12:01] Hindi, kasi yung [12:02] tinignan ko yung dating presidents, [12:04] the article itself [12:05] is the presentation. [12:07] Diba? [12:08] So actually, [12:09] they can or cannot be here [12:11] kasi the articles [12:12] dahil yan naman yung... [12:13] Kung baga, [12:14] yun yung asunto eh, [12:14] yun yung charge sa'yo. [12:16] So ang process, [12:18] yung summons, [12:19] para sumagot naman yung kabila. [12:20] Who will read the articles [12:21] of impeachment? [12:23] Who will read the articles [12:24] of impeachment? [12:25] The prosecutor [12:25] or kayo po sa Monday? [12:27] Sa Monday, [12:30] malamang yun yung, [12:31] yung pagbigay nga namin [12:33] sa majo. [12:34] Pero, [12:35] the impeachment court [12:37] has a life of its own. [12:38] So depende sa mga motions [12:40] na maganap doon [12:41] sa impeachment court. [12:42] May question mo na. [12:43] What did party about? [12:45] On our side, wala. [12:46] On the majority side, wala. [12:48] Hindi ko alam sa minority. [12:50] Diba? [12:50] I'd like to consult them, [12:52] but I'll only see them [12:54] on Monday. [12:55] Medyo busy silang ngayon [12:56] na try kausapin [12:57] yung mga membro namin [12:58] na sumali ulit sa kanila. [13:01] So, [13:01] who attempts na naman, sir? [13:03] Against you na naman na yun, sir? [13:04] Ano naman? [13:05] Expected naman yun. [13:06] Who told you that, sir? [13:08] Of the majority? [13:08] Oo. [13:09] Ba'y kinakausap nila, sir? [13:10] May invitations to talk, [13:12] may pananakot, [13:12] but [13:13] dati na silang takot eh. [13:15] But your 13 is solid. [13:17] But your 13 is solid. [13:18] You're always solid [13:19] until you're not. [13:20] But I believe in the 13, [13:22] I believe in our cause. [13:23] Hindi ko pa nakakausap lahat [13:28] kasi nageya nga na [13:29] mag-meeting ngayon. [13:31] Sabi ko, [13:31] magtrabaho muna tayo, [13:33] magtawagan na lang tayo. [13:35] Because nga, [13:36] you know, [13:36] that's the nature of, [13:37] diba dati kasi ano eh, [13:39] you have three or four [13:40] major newspapers, [13:42] maybe four major news networks, [13:45] then maraming tabloid, [13:47] then maraming radio. [13:48] Ngayon kasi with Sockned, [13:50] anyone can say anything eh. [13:51] Diba? [13:52] And anyone can interpret [13:54] anything that way. [13:56] But yun nga ang challenge ko ngayon. [13:58] Diba? [13:59] Trabaho [14:00] or mamuliti ka. [14:03] Diba? [14:03] So, my only choice [14:04] is to do the work, [14:06] then be completely honest with you. [14:08] So, in an hour, [14:09] I will be completely honest [14:10] what happened [14:11] kay Senator Bato [14:12] and where the investigation [14:14] with the PNP is. [14:15] But uulitin ko lang ha, [14:17] PNP, AFP, [14:19] lahat, [14:19] NBI, [14:20] hindi tayo magkakalaban [14:21] where one government. [14:23] Diba? [14:23] But we have to respect [14:24] the judiciary, [14:25] the same manner, [14:26] the executive, [14:27] but also respect [14:28] the legislative department. [14:30] So, in the same manner, [14:30] kung may fake news, [14:31] I expect them [14:32] to address that immediately. [14:35] So, you always talk in the realm [14:53] of probabilities [14:54] and possibilities [14:56] and possibilities. [14:57] In a collegial body, [14:58] there's always a possibility, [15:00] kahit sa minority. [15:02] Kahit sabihin mong [15:02] before the oath, [15:04] hindi impartial lahat, [15:06] meron gusto magdismiss, [15:07] meron hindi, etc. [15:07] So, I can only discuss with you [15:11] my call. [15:13] I cannot talk for everyone. [15:14] I can tell you [15:15] kung ano na pag-usapan [15:16] and everyone said [15:17] we should have the trial [15:18] and there's no, [15:21] walang isa man [15:22] nagsabing [15:23] hindi mag-trial. [15:24] So, I can only [15:25] answer myself. [15:26] I will act [15:27] in accordance [15:28] with the rules. [15:29] There always has [15:30] to be legal grounds [15:31] and I will decide [15:33] based on truth [15:34] and evidence. [15:34] Sa 13, [15:35] walang nagsabing [15:38] ayaw mag-trial. [15:50] I'll answer all questions, [15:52] Senator Motomia, [15:53] but quickly, [15:54] I hope so. [15:54] Hindi ko hawak [15:55] yung attendance [15:56] at yung ano eh. [15:57] I hope ma-resolve [15:59] nung korte [15:59] kasi pag wala naman [16:00] threat kay Senator Bato, [16:01] gusto naman niya pumasok. [16:10] Marami. [16:10] That's normal. [16:12] It's not, [16:12] di ba, [16:13] parang pagsakay sa koche [16:14] ni Pia kayo, [16:15] taano yun, [16:15] di man bawal eh. [16:20] Ang instructions, [16:22] go post. [16:24] This morning, [16:26] this morning, [16:27] nagyayang kwentuhan. [16:28] Sabi ko naman dun [16:29] sa kausap ko, [16:31] sabihin mo ano, [16:32] puntahan ako, [16:32] sumali sa amin. [16:34] Pero yun, [16:35] hindi nagsap ba? [16:35] Kasi nagsabi sa inyong [16:37] kinahusap sila. [16:38] Yeah, [16:38] I'll address that later. [16:39] I'll unmute later. [16:40] But not expect that. [16:42] Expect that. [16:43] I mean, [16:43] magulat tayo [16:44] kung wala, [16:45] di ba? [16:45] So far, [16:52] lahat ng kausap ko [16:53] was in public, [16:54] yung kansyawan sa floor. [16:56] Tapos yung [16:56] kausap kong isa kanina [16:58] na nagbigay siya [16:58] ng dalawang pangalan [16:59] dalawang senador, [17:00] nakaibigan ko pareho. [17:01] So sinabi ko sa kanya, [17:02] umuti ko na masabi [17:03] tuloy yung pangalan. [17:04] Sabi ko, [17:04] sabi ko sa kanya, [17:06] pakisabi, [17:06] kung gusto nyo, [17:07] sama ako. [17:08] Tapos sumama na sila sa atin. [17:09] Napawa lang siya. [17:10] Magkausap sa mga kasama niyo sir [17:12] ay para pumunta sa kanila [17:13] sa kabilang bakot? [17:15] Hindi, hindi. [17:15] Sila ang nagayang [17:16] makipag-usap. [17:17] Yes sir. [17:18] Pero yun nga, [17:19] yung kaya kami [17:21] hindi nakapag-usap last week [17:22] kasi minsan may kasamang pananakot. [17:24] We consider it naman fake news. [17:26] Alam mo kasi yung pananakot? [17:28] Matalino naman kayo eh. [17:29] Alam nyo naman yung... [17:30] I'll talk to you. [17:33] Alam mo kasi sa kanila sir? [17:35] Okay. [17:35] Alam mo kasi sa kanila? [17:37] Sir, ginagamit sir yung mga peace sir. [17:39] May ginagamit yung mga pending cases sa kanila. [17:41] Thank you. [17:42] Thank you. [17:43] Thank you. [17:44] Thank you. [17:45] Thank you. [17:46] Thank you. [17:47] Thank you. [17:48] Thank you.