Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday emphasized that the welfare of Senate employees remains his top priority amid the escalating leadership dispute in the chamber, stressing the need to ensure that personnel are not adversely affected by the ongoing conflict. 

“Ayaw namin maipit ang mga empleyado. Sa dami ng problema ng ating bansa, I really want to avoid that we have to write to Landbank, na maipit ang sweldo ng mga tao and everything,” Cayetano said in a press briefing on June 8, 2026.

“I’ll never bend the law nor will I bend the Constitution, but I will bend backward for our employees para hindi sila maipit sa gulo. For as long as it doesn’t bend the law, [we will push for] internal rules and regulations that are not attached to laws that are morally wrong,” he added.

Cayetano maintained that any resolution to the dispute must remain within the bounds of the law. 

To prevent disruptions in Senate operations and safeguard employees from the consequences of the dispute, he said he sent a letter to Atty. Renato Bantug proposing a temporary arrangement under which documents for approval will both bear the signatures of the officials presently exercising the relevant functions and those asserting authority to perform the same functions.

“Nag-offer kami na pareho na lang kaming pipirma kahit walang designation,” he said, explaining that the arrangement would ensure there is “no legal infirmity” while preventing both camps from accusing each other of usurpation.

In explaining the proposal, the Senate President reiterated the illegitimacy of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s bloc, arguing that it failed to secure the required 13 votes to declare the Senate Presidency (SP) vacant, and to elect a new Senate Secretary and Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (SAA). 

“Kailangan 13 ang boto kapag ilalagay at kapag tatanggalin (ang Senate President, Secretary, at SAA). Hindi nila sinunod iyan. Meaning hindi legitimate si [Senate] Secretary Bantug,” he said.

Cayetano said he was disappointed that the proposal was rejected, adding that the refusal has further deepened divisions within the institution. 

“Apparently, dahil ayaw nilang pumayag, dalawa ang Senado ngayon. Senate of the Philippines and Senate of Malacañang,” he said.

The Senate President also expressed concern for employees who have been caught in the middle of the dispute, particularly in light of threats of legal action. 

“Y’ung sinabi ni Senator Erwin (Tulfo) tapos nag-sorry. Bad cop good cop iyan — sadya iyon. I-shock mo muna ang mga empleyado na kakasuhan sila, sabihan mo ng kung ano-ano. Tapos si Sen. Sherwin naman y’ung mabait,” he said.

“Kahit nag-sorry siya, natanim na iyon sa puso ng mga empleyado. Sa empleyado naman, it’s a matter of conscience,” he added.

Later that day right after the press conference, Cayetano met with the officers of the Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (S.E.N.A.D.O.) to discuss ways to protect the overall welfare of rank-and-file Senate employees amid termination threats by the Gatchalian bloc and the ongoing leadership rift*. ###