Cayetano siblings float alleged threats vs some senator-judges

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Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano on Monday raised concerns about supposed threats and intimidations against them.

On the 24th day of the impeachment trial, Pia Cayetano asked Sandiganbayan presiding justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang if she encountered situations where judges, because of their professions, received threats in public.

Tang said there were none, in relation to pending cases before the Sandiganbayan.

“I’m happy for you kasi kami ho meron (because we have),” Pia said.

Alan Peter, in jest, also asked Tang during the trial if she can issue a writ of amparo to senator-judges who are being intimidated, since her first name is Amparo.

The writ of amparo is available to persons whose rights to life, liberty, and security are being threatened or violated by public officials, employees, or private individuals or entities. It covers extralegal killings and enforced disappearances, or threats.

In an ambush interview, Alan Peter said the threats were allegedly being made to opposition senators.

“Obvious naman, ‘di ba guys? I mean, obvious naman. You can see it with your eyes. When Senator Ping, as an example, says, dapat matapos ‘yung impeachment by December, then by December may kaso daw ako. The changing of the numbers. Sino ba kinakasuhan? ‘Yung nasa oposisyon,” the minority leader said.

(It’s obvious, isn’t it, guys? I mean, it’s obvious. You can see it with your own eyes. When Senator Ping, for example, said the impeachment should be finished by December. They’re saying that by December, I’ll be facing charges. Then there’s the changing of the numbers. Who are being charged now? Those in the opposition.)

Asked who is behind the threats, he said, “Alangan naman ang opposition mag-threaten sa kapwa opposition?”

(It wouldn't make sense if those in the opposition are the ones threatening fellow members of the opposition, would it?)

“Let's open our eyes. If we want to see the truth, all we have to do is open our eyes,” he added.

GMA News Online reached out to the office of Lacson for a comment and will update this story once it responds. — RSJ, GMA News