Senator Alan Peter Cayetano launched a fresh tirade against certain members of the new Senate majority on Friday, accusing them of being lapdogs of Malacañang. During a fellowship lunch speech, Cayetano specifically named Senate Pro-Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Senator Raffy Tulfo as alleged lackeys of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He also claimed Senator Erwin Tulfo was a lapdog of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, citing information Lacson supposedly holds against him. Cayetano did not spare Lacson, calling him a dog rather than a lapdog. "Si Lacson? Hindi na po tuta si Lacson, aso na po siya. Matagal na," Cayetano said, explaining that a dog is someone who follows and executes orders without question.
Lacson and Sotto Respond
Reacting to Cayetano's statements, Lacson expressed pity, saying, "Kawawa naman. Kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi. Parang malapit nang bumigay. Sana hindi tuluyang mag-meltdown." Meanwhile, Sotto dismissed Cayetano's remarks as unworthy of attention. "It's about time na huwag niyo nang patulan ang mala-telenovelang mga ingay na wala namang mararating. Waste of airtime. Let's move on for the good of the country," Sotto said.
Background of Senate Leadership Row
Cayetano has repeatedly alleged that Malacañang played a role in the recent change in Senate leadership. On June 8, he claimed the Senate had split into two groups, with one reportedly backed by the Palace. He also proposed an interim administrative arrangement with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, but Gatchalian rejected it. Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore on June 3 after a meeting of senators formerly part of the minority bloc. On June 17, Gatchalian was formally elected as the new Senate President, replacing Cayetano and ending the leadership dispute in the upper chamber.
