At least P700 million in taxpayers’ money went to waste during the 28 days that disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano “led” the chamber, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.
Lacson said the lowlights of the period included the shooting inside the Senate two days after Cayetano became Senate president, and the escape of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa while under the Senate’s “protective custody.”
The 28-day period also saw a boycott of sessions by the Cayetano-led bloc, which became the new minority after Sen. Francis Escudero joined the new majority to form a quorum leading to the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate President last June 3. It was marked as well by a failed destabilization try and bogus committee hearings – including one that not a single senator attended.
“THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano: Estimated Cost – P700M. Output – chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its ‘protective custody,’ session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings highlighted by one not presided nor attended by a single senator. WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY!” he said on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: P700M Pondo ng Taumbayan, Nasayang sa 28 Araw sa Ilalim ni Disgrasyadong Ex-Senate President Cayetano
THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano:
Estimated Cost – P700M. Output – chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its “protective custody”, session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings…
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 17, 2026
Earlier, now-Senate President Gatchalian also noted that the Senate spends about P25 million a day when sessions are stalled without plenary work.
But Lacson expressed optimism that with the fresh start with the election of Gatchalian as Senate President as well as other Senate officers and committee chairpersons during the special session Wednesday, the Senate would finally get back to work.
“This is a fresh start. And I hope everybody will cooperate, including the members of the minority,” he said.
In an interview on DZBB radio, Lacson said he is hopeful that after Wednesday’s special session, the Senate will finally experience the “calm after the storm.”
“Hopefully ang calm after the storm nandiyan na (Hopefully we will experience the calm after the storm),” he said, adding Wednesday’s special session saw the confirmation of 85 foreign service officers and five AFP officers whose appointments before the Commission on Appointments were affected by the Senate leadership row.
“Tapos nakapag-organize ng committees (We also managed to organize the committees),” he added.
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Lacson: P700M Pondo ng Taumbayan, Nasayang sa 28 Araw sa Ilalim ni Disgrasyadong Ex-Senate President Cayetano
Hindi bababa sa P700 milyon na pera ng taumbayan ang nasayang sa loob ng 28 araw na “pinamunuan” ni disgrasyadong ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano ang Senado, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Huwebes.
Ani Lacson, kabilang sa mga pinakamadilim na pangyayari sa naturang panahon ang pamamaril sa loob ng Senado dalawang araw matapos maging Senate President si Cayetano, at ang pagtakas ni Sen. Ronald dela Rosa habang nasa ilalim ng “protective custody” ng Senado.
Nasaksihan din sa loob ng 28 araw ang pag-boycott sa mga sesyon ng ngayo’y minority bloc na pinamumunuan ni Cayetano; gayundin ang nabigong tangkang destabilisasyon at bogus na pagdinig ng komite – kabilang ang isang pagdinig na ni isang senador ay walang dumalo.
“THE PHILIPPINE SENATE in 28 days under Alan Peter Cayetano: Estimated Cost – P700M. Output – chaos, gunfire, Bato’s escape despite ICC-issued warrant while under its ‘protective custody,’ session boycott, failed destabilization attempt, unauthorized committee hearings highlighted by one not presided nor attended by a single senator. WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY!” aniya sa X.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian na gumagastos ang Senado ng humigit-kumulang P25 milyon kada araw kapag natitigil ang mga sesyon at walang nagagawang plenary work.
Sa kabila nito, nagpahayag si Lacson ng pag-asa na sa bagong simula na dulot ng pagkakahalal kay Gatchalian bilang Senate President, gayundin ng iba pang opisyal ng Senado at mga tagapangulo ng komite sa isinagawang special session noong Miyerkules, tuluyan nang makababalik sa trabaho ang Senado.
“This is a fresh start. And I hope everybody will cooperate, including the members of the minority,” aniya.
Sa panayam sa DZBB radio, iginiit ni Lacson na umaasa siyang maranasan ng Senado ang “calm after the storm.”
“Hopefully ang calm after the storm nandiyan na,” aniya, sabay banggit na maraming nagawa sa special session noong Miyerkules kabilang ang pagkumpirma sa 85 foreign service officers at limang five AFP officers na apektado ng sigalot sa Senado.
“Tapos nakapag-organize ng committees,” dagdag niya.
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