Senator Cayetano warns of 'selective justice' in Senate flood control probe

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano called for public vigilance as the Senate conducts an investigation into alleged flood control project irregularities.

In a statement, Cayetano warned that the investigation must not be derailed by "selective justice."

He emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth rather than allowing the process to be used for finding scapegoats.

Cayetano stressed that the hearings must remain credible and fair, and that citizens should actively scrutinize how the proceedings unfold.

“Kaya nga ang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Bantayan ninyo ng husto ang Blue Ribbon Committee hearings kasi imbes na maging instrument for truth, ginagamit na instrument para magkaroon ng scapegoats, selective justice, o kaya ginagamit para hindi mabuo y’ung tunay na Majority,” he said.

He was asked about the absence of members of the Majority bloc in the last three plenary sessions.

Cayetano said this was a response to earlier actions taken by the Minority, which he argued had escalated into a violation of Senate rules rather than proper parliamentary procedure.

“‘Di ba nag-walk out sila kasi ayaw nila na makaboto y’ung trese [Majority]. So they used a parliamentary tool which is calling the quorum then adjournment. So, we also used a parliamentary tool na walang quorum,” he said.

He further claimed that what followed was an improper maneuver by the Minority, which he said disregarded established rules of the chamber.

“But sila, instead na sumunod sa rules nung nacheckmate sila eh binasura nila y’ung Constitution and [Senate] rules by coming with a patently illegal maneuver yesterday. Ganoon lang ka-simple,” he said.

Cayetano also alleged that there were efforts to take over committees in order to halt ongoing investigations, including the flood control probe.

“Ang gusto nilang gawin isa-isang arestuhin y’ung mga nasa majority pagkatapos kukunin nila y’ung committees, at ‘pag nakuha na nila, hindi matutuloy y’ung hearings,” he said.

He added that while he expects possible changes in committee leadership, the Majority bloc is pushing for key hearings to conclude first before any reorganization takes place.

“Kaya kami alam namin na ‘walking dead’ kami, alam naming anytime kukunin yu’ng committees, alam ko eventually magiging trese sila, but sana lumabas muna y’ung katotohanan bago mangyari iyon,” he said.

-Paraluman News