Ombudsman not worried over Cayetanos’ Singapore trip

MANILA, Philippines—Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said he was not worried about Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano traveling to Singapore with his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, despite Alan Peter’s involvement in several cases.

“They probably need a break. I know that they have been under stress lately. It’s what Sen. Ping Lacson said, and I will follow the words of Sen. Ping Lacson,” Remulla said in a press briefing.

READ: BI: No reason to stop Cayetanos from leaving

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The Bureau of Immigration on Thursday confirmed that the two Cayetanos had boarded a flight to Singapore on Wednesday and arrived at Changi Airport hours later. The agency said there were no hold departure orders or derogatory records against either senator.

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The bureau did not say whether Cayetano’s wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, also left the country.

In a social media post, Lacson said the trip  was “not an issue as of the moment,” adding that Alan Peter should be given a “break from the stress caused by issues that he himself created.”

Lacson and Alan Peter have been engaged in a public dispute over alleged irregularities in flood control and reclamation projects in Taguig City.

At least 45 case studies backed by official documents detailing “systemic anomalies” in flood control infrastructure projects in Taguig City were submitted by Lacson to the Office of the Ombudsman.

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Alan Peter is also being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, where he served as chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.

READ: Legarda extends leave for fifth time

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The Ombudsman had also ordered Alan Peter and Sen. Robin Padilla to respond to a complaint concerning Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate premises last month.

The Cayetanos are among several senators who are currently out of the country or away from their regular duties. Sen. Loren Legarda has been on medical leave since Aug. 3.

Remulla, however, said: “I don’t think it (Cayetanos’ trip) will follow the other path that Loren Legarda and her son took.”

“Tingin ko naman babalik naman. Eh, mayor pa si Lani. Si Lani sumama. Mabuting asawa, sinamahan yung kanyang asawa na umalis. At tingin ko naman hindi nila iiwan yung kanilang posisyon,” he added.

(I think they will return. Lani is still the mayor. She joined them. A good wife, she joined her husband in leaving. And I think they will not leave their positions.)

READ: Legarda’s extended medical leave now ‘suspicious’ – Ombudsman

Legarda has repeatedly sought extensions of her medical leave, with the latest covering her absence until Sept. 16.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Lacson separately said Legarda is being treated for a lung problem. However, she herself has yet to publicly disclose details of her condition.

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The Ombudsman has described Legarda’s extended leave as “suspicious” in light of the plunder and graft complaints she and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, are facing. /dp