Alan Cayetano, Jonvic Remulla figure in heated exchange amid Jinggoy's Senate arrest

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla figured in a tense exchange on Monday after members of the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) served an arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada at the Senate over plunder charges.

In videos shared online, Cayetano and Remulla were seen in a heated exchange inside the Senate chamber as PNP-CIDG personnel read Estrada his Miranda rights.

Cayetano said Estrada could have been allowed to leave the Senate premises first before being arrested outside.

Remulla, however, countered that Cayetano had lost the privilege of extending such accommodation to a senator facing arrest, citing the earlier case involving Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who was able to leave Senate premises while under similar circumstances.

“Respect the institution. This is not about Jinggoy,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano cited a past precedent involving former Senate President Jovito Salonga and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

“(Estrada) can be arrested right there. Just outside the gate, we’re gonna walk (for) five minutes. It’s never been done. Salonga stood up for Enrile. Ang kalaban si Cory, ang kaso rebellion. Anong ginawa? They walked out," Cayetano said.

"We’re just asking you to walk out... You can arrest him outside,” he added.

Remulla, however, replied: “The last person you took into custody escaped. You cannot do that.”

Estrada later announced in a press conference that he would voluntarily surrender to the PNP-CIDG after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant for his arrest over plunder charges.

Remulla, however, said in a media briefing that Estrada had already been arrested by authorities.

“The question was the separation of the executive and legislative branches. He said that even during the time of Salonga, he protected Enrile. I told him—not very calmly, because emotions were already rising—‘Sir, I’m sorry. You lost that privilege when Bato escaped,’” Remulla said.

"Tama na; there's no more hiding behind the curtains of the Senate," he added.

Remulla said authorities had already taken custody of Estrada following the service of the warrant.

“We arrested him. I personally went there together with the CIDG. He was read his Miranda rights and, from there, he was brought to Camp Crame for processing,” he added.—MCG, GMA News