Metro Manila, Philippines — Former members of rival UP student political groups SAMASA and Nagkaisang Tugon have set aside their differences to jointly call for the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano over the controversy surrounding Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s supposed “protective custody.”
The coalition described the incident as a grave failure of leadership, judgment, and institutional responsibility, accusing Cayetano of turning the Senate into a platform for political theater, confusion, and brinkmanship during the standoff involving dela Rosa.
The group said Senate leadership assumed responsibility over dela Rosa while allegedly delaying lawful enforcement efforts, adding that the incident weakened public trust in democratic institutions and reinforced perceptions that laws are applied differently to the politically connected.
“What makes this especially significant is that this call now includes members of Nagkaisang Tugon itself — the very student political formation under which Alan Peter Cayetano once served as a University Student Councilor,” the coalition said.
“If Alan Peter Cayetano still possesses a sense of political responsibility — and yes, shame — he should recognize the damage this episode has done to the Senate and resign,” the statement added.
