Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday warned that the country’s democracy may be under threat, saying critics of the government are being targeted for speaking out.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress on July 27, 2026, Cayetano said the past six months have raised concerns about “freedom and democracy.”
“Unlike in 1986 to ‘87 na ramdam talaga na may question of democracy, ngayon, siyempre it’s more of (issues of) poverty, economy at saka y’ung corruption,” the Minority Leader said about expected issues from the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“But I really believe that our democracy is in danger. And talagang kapag nagsalita ka, target ka bigla,” he added.
Asked about his earlier comment that the country is under an undeclared martial law, Cayetano said concerns over civil liberties have persisted in recent months.
“That’s been said for the last six months. It’s about freedom and democracy. Tingnan niyo ang lahat ng nakakasuhan at lahat ng nakukulong,” he said.
“Kapag tahimik ka at sumama ka, parang ‘if you can’t beat them, join them,’ happy ka. Pero malungkot ang bansa. Kapag tayuan mo y’ung mga prinsipyo mo, ikaw pa kakasuhan,” he added.
The Minority Leader said this is why he would rather not attend the SONA scheduled later at the House of Representatives as a sign of protest.
“Mas preference ko siguro panoorin na lang sa TV. Baka mas comfortable din y’ung administration that way, and it’s my simple way of protesting, pati sa pagsuot ng black,” he said.
Cayetano said the treatment of political opponents, such as Mike Defensor and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, bears similarities to conditions under martial law.
“You believe there is undeclared martial law? Kung hindi man, we’re nearing that. Kung vlogger ka na kakampi, wala naman cyber libel, wala namang warrant kaagad. Pagka kalaban ka, nandiyan na kaagad (ang warrant),” he said.
Cayetano said members of the media and the business community can themselves assess whether they have experienced political pressure, similar to martial law times.
“You can also ask your editors, your owners of the networks y’ung pressures kung meron o wala — kayo makakasagot niyan. Pero sa business at sa politika, even sa religious leaders, sa mga nakakausap ko, nakikita at nararamdaman nila. Sana hindi,” he said.
But Cayetano said Malacañang’s repeated assurance that the 2028 elections will push through and that the Constitution will not be amended remains a source of confidence.
“One big assurance is paulit-ulit sinasabi ng Malacañang na may election sa 2028, walang Cha-Cha (Charter Change), at hindi i-aabolish ang Senado,” he said.
He also linked the assurance to the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing the need to require a two-thirds vote for conviction.
“One way to ensure that is y’ung numbers to say na two-thirds is really 16 (out of 24 elected senators to convict the VP). Kasi nagsimula iyan sa 12 or 13. Sa first few days (ng trial) sinabi na 16 (votes ang kailangan), but then may mga gumagalaw na questioning this sa SC (Supreme Court) kaya tingnan natin,” he said.
“So it’s dangerous times,” he added.