Cayetano, Lacson spar over anti-corruption drive

MANILA, Philippines—Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Panfilo Lacson continued to quarrel on Tuesday, this time over the latter’s claim about his anti-corruption drive.

In a Facebook post, Cayetano scoffed at Lacson’s statement that he “must be doing something right and good for the country” if his campaign against corruption intimidates the corrupt.

Cayetano countered, telling Lacson that “your so-called fight against the corrupt actually empowers the masterminds and those most guilty.”

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“All you have done is to try to silence the few voices still standing for the country, the Constitution, and democracy. You can bully and silence some, but not all of us,” the minority leader said.

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“Whatever justification you are telling yourself and the nation, is it worth it? Aren’t our country and our people more important than any person or ambition?” he asked.

“Imagine a Ping Lacson truly fighting against corruption, instead of protecting the corrupt. Like many other Filipinos, I used to believe in you—and it’s not too late,” Cayetano went on.

He concluded his statement by calling for national healing.

“It is time to heal our land. Time to truly address the suffering of our people. Time for repentance and renewal,” Cayetano said.

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Lacson’s latest remark about fighting corruption came after Cayetano joked about alleged intimidation against senator-judges during Monday’s impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

READ: Cayetano: ‘Obvious’ who is allegedly behind threats vs. minority

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“Can you issue a writ of amparo to senator-judges here who are intimidated?” the minority leader asked prosecution witness, retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

Cayetano later told reporters that it was “obvious” who were behind the supposed threats against opposition senators.

“When Senator Ping, for example, says that the impeachment should be finished by December, and then when December comes, suddenly there’s supposedly a case against me. The numbers keep changing. Who is actually being charged? Those who are in the opposition? When they switch to the administration, isn’t it obvious to you, guys, especially since you’re in the media?” he added.

Cayetano’s colleagues in the minority—Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta—are both detained in a Quezon City jail over non-bailable plunder charges. Estrada was linked to the flood control scandal, while Marcoleta’s case stemmed from the P75 million campaign donation he supposedly received for his 2025 senatorial bid.

Lacson, however, denied saying that the impeachment trial of the vice president should be finished by December.

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“A classic case of putting words into my mouth,” Lacson wrote on X, adding that he does not have “the power or influence to dictate the timeline.” /mcm