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MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano turned to biblical stories and personal faith on Monday, May 18, as he faced political uncertainty barely a week into his return as head of the chamber.
Speaking at a prayer meeting with Christian pastors ahead of the Senate session, Cayetano framed his brief and turbulent Senate presidency in religious terms, even as rumors swirled that another leadership change could be underway.
"I know for a fact that this is an assembly of people who love God and who want to submit to God. What I do not know is if this is the beginning of my journey as the Senate President or if this is a despedida," Cayetano said.
He said he had been informed that the shortest-lived Senate presidency was 13 days, and he was unsure whether he would surpass that record.
He then drew a parallel between life and the Senate presidency.
"Pinanganak tayo si Adam ay galing sa lupa. Siya'y bumalik nung siya'y nung ang physical niyang katawan ay namatay, bumalik sa lupa. 'Di ba?" Cayetano said.
(We were born, Adam came from the dust. He returned when his physical body died, it returned to the dust. Right?)
"Our earthly father Adam came from soil. And when his earthly body rotted, it went back to soil. So what matters is not when you're born or when you die. What matters is what you do in between," he added.
Faith in a week of upheaval
Cayetano, who repeatedly invoked the Holy Spirit in his pronouncements and remarks to reporters, was elected Senate president on May 11, ousting former Senate President Tito Sotto.
He is an ally of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
He gave protective custody to Dela Rosa, who headed the Philippine National Police during Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, on May 11 after National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to arrest him. Dela Rosa, however, left the Senate complex after the melee caused by gunfire in the premises, effectively evading containment and potential arrest.
From 2017 to 2018, Cayetano was foreign secretary under Duterte, the former president who previously cursed at God and the pope and is now detained by the ICC.
On May 18, despite rumors that Cayetano would be ousted from the Senate leadership, no coup took place in the Senate.
Caritas urges senators to proceed
In a statement on May 17, the Diocesan Social Action Network of Caritas Philippines, composed of Catholic bishops and clergy, urged lawmakers to abide by the Constitution and proceed immediately with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
"We appeal to the Members of the Senate to abide by what the Constitution directs: to proceed with the trial and... adhere to the rule of law and serve the common good in the pursuit of justice and truth," Caritas said.
"We make this urgent appeal to not delay the trial and to convene the Senate as an impeachment court at the soonest possible time. To delay the trial is to delay justice for both the Filipino people and the Vice President," it added.
In an appeal to the public, Caritas urged Filipinos to fulfill their civic duties and responsibilities by ensuring a fair and credible trial that allows everyone to see and hear clear, verified evidence and arguments.
"We must also remain vigilant in monitoring the proceedings," Caritas said.
"In this way, we uphold the truth, safeguard the integrity of public discourse, and strengthen our nation against misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation," it added.
