Philippine Senate Minority Criticizes Alan Peter Cayetano's Absence

Philippine Senate minority lawmakers criticized Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's absence from the session on June 2, urging him and the majority to uphold their duties amidst legislative delays.

Tue Jun 02 2026

Senate President's Absence Draws Criticism

Philippine Senate minority lawmakers have strongly criticized Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano for his absence from the Senate session held on Tuesday, June 2. They called on Cayetano and the majority bloc to attend sessions and fulfill their responsibilities. Senator Raffy Tulfo specifically challenged Cayetano to attend the next session, labeling him a "coward" if he failed to appear, stating that his absence is unacceptable and disregards the voice of the people.

Legislative Delays and Public Harm

The minority senators emphasized that the continued delay in Senate sessions is hindering the passage of crucial legislation, directly harming the Filipino people. They highlighted that agricultural and health-related bills are currently stalled, causing distress to farmers and vulnerable citizens burdened by hospital expenses. The senators condemned Cayetano's absence as a dereliction of duty and called for his immediate return to preside over the legislative process.

'Independence' Claim and Rules Violation Controversy

The minority bloc argued that the majority's assertion of Senate independence to justify their absence from sessions is, in fact, a violation of Senate rules. They pointed out that if Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano is absent, the Senate President Pro Tempore or the Majority Leader can preside over the session, yet this is not being done. They also noted that such an unprecedented situation has never occurred in their collective 14 years of service in the Senate.

*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-06-02)*

Tags: #Philippines #Senate #Alan Peter Cayetano #Raffy Tulfo #Legislature