Lacson, Pangilinan say participants in Cayetano Blue Ribbon hearing may face legal cases

Senators from the Gatchalian bloc on Friday said cases may be filed against individuals who participated in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by the Cayetano bloc, citing a lack of parliamentary immunity.

With no official documentation, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said Thursday's hearing was "bogus", adding that the witnesses and senators who were present in the hearing may not invoke parliamentary immunity.

“Yes, they can be charged, possibly for cyber libel and other crimes since it was a bogus hearing and no parliamentary immunity may be invoked, not even the senators who participated,” Lacson said.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan agreed with Lacson's remarks and, referring to immunity from suit of the participants, said, "Walang official record, hindi official proceeding so wala".

(The hearing has no official record, so it cannot be considered an official proceeding. The participants have no parliamentary immunity.)

Lacson and Pangilinan belong to the bloc that declared all positions in the Senate vacant and elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian Senate President Pro Tempore, and Sen. Erwin Tulfo the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

The Gatchalian bloc also made him acting Senate President.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and his bloc said he's still the legitimate Senate President. Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who were elected chairperson and vice chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee under Cayetano's watch, presided over the Senate hearing on Thursday.

Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo said no member of the secretariat of the Blue Ribbon committee can be seen during the hearing. She reported that the staff present at the session hall were those of the Cayetanos.

The Gatchalian bloc slammed the legislative inquiry as "bogus, unofficial, and unauthorized."

It was Alan Peter Cayetano who administered the oath to the individuals who claimed to deliver suitcases of money to several personalities allegedly involved in the flood control mess. Atty. Levito Baligod is also present at the hearing

According to Lacson, cyber libel may be among the possible charges that may be filed against the 18 former soldiers who provided statements in the Cayetano bloc hearing. He also said public officials who took part in the event may face charges such as usurpation of authority or official functions.

The senator cited Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, which states that "any person who knowingly performs official acts without lawful authority may be punished with prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods".

"Only if the SC overturns the Avelino vs Cuenco ruling and invalidates the action taken by the 12 senators last Wednesday, those who were offended in yesterday’s event have a good case," he added.

GMA News Online reached out to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for comment.

Senate leadership dispute

The Gatchalian bloc elected him Senate President Pro Tempore on Wednesday with 12 senators in the plenary following the surprise appearance of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

It can be recalled that the Senate has failed to convene for two consecutive session days amid the absence of the Cayetano-led bloc. However, Escudero's appearance broke the impasse and paved the way for senators in attendance to declare a quorum and install Gatchalian.

Gatchalian said they were "compelled" to convene the Senate, stressing that Cayetano was absent from the two previously scheduled sessions.

"The chair would like to state for the record that we are compelled to call the session to order today. After the Senate adjourned on May 26, 2026, the session was scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1, 2026, and on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, but the former Senate President failed to appear in both instances," Gatchalian said.

He also cited Article 6, Section 16(5) of the Constitution, which states that neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other House, and said the quorum of 12 senators is based on the majority of 22 senators.

Gatchalian cited a ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) that found that an absolute majority of 12 out of 23 members could constitute a constitutional majority for quorum purposes.

Cayetano, however, insisted he remains the leader of the upper chamber, saying the other side failed to muster 13 votes to formally elect Gatchalian as Senate President.

"This is an illegal coup d’état na may kasamang pagbabasura ng ating Konstitusyon (accompanied by the trashing of our Constitution)," Cayetano warned. "I warned everyone about this from day one... Under our Constitution, under our Rules of the Senate, thirteen are required," he said.

Four former Senate Presidents -- Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Franklin Drilon, Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, and Vicente "Tito" Sotto -- called for the swift resolution to the ongoing Senate brouhaha and urged incumbent lawmakers to instead focus on pressing national concerns, including the economy, food security, and energy security. –NB, GMA News