Metro Manila, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has left the country amid investigations into allegations against him, with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and his Senate colleagues saying there was no legal impediment to his departure.
In a statement on Thursday, Sept. 10, the BI confirmed that Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, “are currently out of the country.”
“Based on BI records, there were no hold departure orders or derogatory records against the two senators, as of departure date, that would legally prevent them from leaving the country,” the bureau said.
It issued the statement after the Cayetanos were spotted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday, with reports saying they had flown to Singapore. The bureau did not disclose further details about their trip, citing the Data Privacy Act.
The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into Alan Cayetano’s role in alleged irregularities in the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games when he was head of the organizing committee.
The Office of the Ombudsman is also evaluating evidence submitted by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Cayetano’s alleged involvement in supposed anomalous infrastructure projects in his political bailiwick of Taguig.
Cayetano has denied all allegations.
Despite their ongoing word war, Lacson said he saw no issue with Cayetano’s reported trip to Singapore, noting that it could be health-related.
“Not an issue as of the moment. Let’s make him (them) take a break from the stress caused by issues that he himself created,” Lacson said on X.
“For all we know, Sen. Alan and his wife’s trip has something to do with reproductive health, which Singapore is known for. If it’s simply health related, I sincerely wish him well despite our animosities,” he added.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also said senators are not required to seek permission for personal trips abroad.
