Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has denied the statement of Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson that approximately P700 million in funds were wasted during his more than one-month term as Senate President.
In a Facebook Live session on Thursday, June 18, Cayetano questioned the origin of the allegation and insisted that the accusation against him has no basis.
'Senator Lacson said, 'What a waste of money. When Alan Cayetano was Senate president, P700 million was spent.' I said, where does that come from?' Cayetano remarked.
The senator did not only target Lacson. He also criticized the Tulfo brothers, Senators Raffy Tulfo and Erwin Tulfo, whom he claimed are meddling in the criticisms against him.
'He revealed it like it's intrigue because they are good at intrigue. Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, Senator Ping Lacson just take turns. It's a tag team, 'Your turn to annoy Alan,'' he added.
Earlier, Lacson said that an estimated P700 million was spent during Cayetano's leadership as Senate President. In his statement, Lacson cited several incidents that occurred amid the leadership crisis in the Senate, including sessions that ended in chaos, plenary boycotts, and committee hearings that questioned legality and authority.
'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,' according to Lacson.
It will be recalled that Cayetano assumed the post of Senate President on May 11 after the majority bloc secured a 13-11 vote against the then-leadership of Senator Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III. Part of those events was the reappearance of Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa in the Senate after several months of hiding due to the threat of arrest related to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
