Lacson: Previous Senate ‘Fathers’ Were All Statesmen – Except One

The Senate’s previous “fathers” consistently demonstrated statesmanship and professionalism during leadership transitions — all except one, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson noted over the weekend.

Lacson said disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano stood out as the only Senate “leader” who triggered a legislative paralysis all because he tried to cling to power.

“STATESMEN ALL, EXCEPT ONE —
I’ve seen the ‘changing of the guard’ in the Senate many, many times.
Frank Drilon to Manny Villar in 2006; Manny Villar to Juan Ponce Enrile in 2008… Koko Pimentel to Tito Sotto in 2018… Chiz Escudero to Tito in September 2025; Tito to Alan Cayetano in May 2026; finally, to Sherwin Gatchalian on June 17, 2026.
Save for the last one, everyone else relinquished their posts with exemplary statesmanship and professionalism,” he said on X Sunday afternoon.

In Filipino: Lacson: Lahat ng Naunang ‘Ama’ ng Senado ay mga Statesman – Maliban sa Isa

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Lacson Rejects Claims of ‘Martial Law’ in Senate Security Inspection

What “Martial Law?”

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus rejected on Tuesday the objections and claims of “undeclared martial law” by some minority senators to the security survey and inspection (SSI) of the Senate premises by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lacson stressed that the inspection stemmed from intelligence reports indicating a security threat to the Senate, adding that no one was exempted, not even the offices of the majority bloc members.

“Martial law? All the offices of individual senators, even including that of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as those occupied by the secretariat and all other offices, were subjected to safety and security inspections to make sure that we and the Senate employees as well as the media people covering the Senate will be safe and secure from a repeat of the May 13 shooting incident and mayhem that transpired under the watch of disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,” he said.

“Except for those of us who may be apprehensive that they may have kept or stored contraband items like firearms, explosives and drugs in their offices, those with clean consciences should all welcome instead of criticize the SSI that was conducted by the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinanggi ang Bintang na ‘Martial Law’ sa Security Inspection sa Senado

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Lacson: Majority Prepared for Disgraced Ex-SP Cayetano’s Dirty Tricks at Senate Special Session

The Senate majority bloc led by Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is ready for any dirty tricks that disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano may attempt during the Senate’s special session, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said that while everyone except Cayetano and a handful of his allies recognize Gatchalian as the Senate’s leader, Cayetano has shown he is capable of doing anything to preserve his “power.”

“Members of the majority bloc are ready with contingencies in case he makes a scene. We have discussed measures that I am not at liberty to divulge. I have emphasized to the majority bloc to not underestimate him because he is capable of dirty tricks. He doesn’t care about the institution, he only cares about himself,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mayorya, Handa sa Anumang Maruming Balak ni Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano sa Senate Special Session

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Lacson: Public Approval for Gatchalian Shown at Independence Day Rites

After gaining support from top government officials and institutions, Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian also won the public’s acceptance and approval, as shown in a public event on Friday, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.

Lacson said public support for Gatchalian was evident when the crowd at the Independence Day rites at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila cheered after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged him as Senate President Pro Tempore.

“The cheering and applause this morning simply symbolized public acceptance and approval versus public disapproval and disgust. No need to mention here ‘who versus who,’” Lacson said on X.

In FIlipino: Lacson: Suporta ng Publiko kay Gatchalian, Ramdam sa Independence Day Rites

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Lacson: No Confusion in Senate Chain of Command Under Gatchalian-Led Majority

Senate employees should no longer have any doubt as to whom they should follow as the Gatchalian-led majority bloc has been duly recognized by the Civil Service Commission and other relevant authorities, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Tuesday.

Lacson said this recognition enjoyed by the majority led by Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian only underscores that “orders” from the minority led by disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano are meant to sow confusion.

“Maliwanag naman sa atin kung sinong kinikilala ng Malacanang, ng House of Representatives, ng Civil Service Commission, ng IBP, at kung ano-ano pa ang mga grupo, kung sinong kinikilala talaga na liderato sa Senate (It is clear whose leadership Malacanang, the House of Representatives, the Civil Service Commission and Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other groups recognize),” he said in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Walang Kalituhan sa Chain of Command ng Senado sa Ilalim ng Gatchalian-Led Majority

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