Warning against what he described as the gradual weakening of democratic institutions, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday urged Filipinos to stand for truth, defend the Constitution, and remain vigilant against threats to democracy.
In his Facebook Live on June 6, Cayetano called for national reflection beyond Senate tensions, stressing that the state of the nation carries greater weight than the state of the Senate.
“In the same way that oligarchs, communism, and the economic crisis were used to lose our democracy, malayo na malapit na y’ung panahon na we’re losing our democracy because of an economic crisis which is here,” he said.
The Senate President repeatedly returned to what he described as the central issue confronting the country today: the need to safeguard truth as the foundation of democratic governance.
He also emphasized the need to ensure that institutions meant to uphold accountability remain strong and independent despite political pressure.
“Ang problema, kaya sinabi kong ‘malapit-malayo,’ everytime the truth is about to come out, wini-weaken y’ung institutions,” he said.
Cayetano argued that public discourse has become too focused on personalities and political rivalries, when the larger question should be whether institutions remain capable of exposing wrongdoing and serving as checks on power.
He stressed that his appeal was not directed against any individual or institution but against actions that, in his view, undermine democratic processes and constitutional safeguards.
“Hindi natin kalaban ang Malacañang. Pero kalaban natin [ang] kasinungalingan, kalaban natin y’ung nagpupunit ng pahina ng konstitusyon,” he said.
Cayetano also reflected on the temporary nature of public office, saying leadership positions matter less than the principles they are meant to uphold.
“My stay as Senate President is limited. But every day that I’m here, laban po tayo,” he said.
He urged Filipinos to remain vigilant, make their voices heard in defense of democratic values, and not remain indifferent in moments that test the country’s institutions and freedoms.
“Kailangan natin lumaban at kailangan natin humanap ng paraan para ipakita na hindi tayo papayag na muling ikulong ang ating demokrasya [at] muling nakawin ang freedom ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.