Gatchalian for Senate president? Cayetano might ‘vote for him one day’

Every day has been a test of survival for Alan Peter Cayetano since he assumed the Senate presidency on May 11.

Since he claimed the seat of power as his, chaos happened in the chamber — gunshots, lockdown, and a senator evading an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Rumors of yet another leadership shake-up continue to swirl through the chamber, keeping senators — and even the journalists covering the Senate — constantly on edge.

But on Wednesday afternoon, May 20, Cayetano briefly loosened up and cracked a joke on the floor.

Referring to Kiko Pangilinan as “the agreeable senator,” Cayetano drew little reaction from the chamber. Only Sherwin Gatchalian appeared to laugh.

That prompted Cayetano to joke again and said “I might vote for him (Gatchalian) one day.”

Play Video

Gatchalian’s name has been floated as a potential challenger to Cayetano as Senate president. Gatchalian is also part of the minority, meaning he did not vote for Cayetano as Senate president.

Just days earlier, during the tense session on Monday, May 18, amid coup rumors, Senator Migz Zubiri suddenly walked into an interview Gatchalian was giving to reporters on the sidelines of the plenary.

Throwing an arm around Gatchalian’s shoulder, Zubiri jumped in and said, “This is my candidate for Senate president.”

Gatchalian simply smirked and walked away, leaving Zubiri with the media. 

Play Video

Despite Cayetano’s jokes during Wednesday’s session, emotions inside the chamber remained raw.

The Senate President’s sister, Pia Cayetano, became emotional while recalling last week’s shooting incident involving agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and Senate security personnel.

Pia took offense at a phrase used in a privilege speech by colleague Risa Hontiveros — “as if nothing happened.”

“Maybe for those of you who weren’t here (it is as if nothing happened), but for us who were here, so much has happened,” Pia said in Filipino. Then, she burst into tears.

“If you weren’t here, don’t question what happened to those who were,” she added. “You have your own story. I respect that. But please respect my own story.”

Pia’s ally and seatmate — Loren Legarda — was quick to comfort her. Legarda also became emotional and cried.

But Pia appeared to have misunderstood Hontiveros’ point.

What Hontiveros actually said was: “Halos isang linggo na matapos ang habulan at barilan dito sa Senado. Sa loob-loob ko, hindi ako mapanatag na simula nung Lunes ang ipinakita natin ay para bang walang nangyari, na para bang hindi nabastos ang ating institusyon, ang ating mga empleyado, at ang mga Pilipino.”

(It has been almost a week since the chase and shooting here in the Senate. Deep inside, I haven’t felt at ease because since Monday, we’ve acted as if nothing happened — as if our institution, our employees, and the Filipino people were not disrespected.)

Play Video

Hontiveros later clarified that she was referring not to the senators’ personal trauma, but to the institution’s response.

“When I stated it feels as though now, it feels now, ‘walang nangyari,’ (as if nothing happened) I was not speaking about our personal feelings. I was talking about our institutional posture. Our grief as senators are valid, but our mandate requires action,” Hontiveros said. Hontiveros also empathized with Pia.

With another session set for Monday, May 25, what new drama will next unfold in the Senate? Will a coup happen anytime soon? – Rappler.com