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Metro Manila, Philippines – Less than a week after the abrupt leadership change, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said there are efforts from the minority bloc to oust him. In an interview with reporters on Thursday, May 14, Cayetano accused the minority of persuading majority members to switch sides.  “Expected naman ‘yun eh [That’s expected],” he said, when asked if there’s a “coup” to unseat him.  Cayetano said some majority senators told him that minority lawmakers invited them for talks, with some supposedly issuing intimidations. He said he believes the 13-member majority will stay: “You’re always solid until you’re not. I believe in our 13. I believe in our cause” Cayetano unceremoniously replaced Tito Sotto on May 11 with the surprise appearance of Senator Bato dela Rosa – after months of absence – that solidified the majority vote. Dela Rosa has been hiding over a warrant of arrest from the…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV the gunfire scare inside the Senate was “planned” and “staged” to benefit Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Trillanes raised suspicions over the gunshots during the tense standoff. “Knowing Alan Cayetano, you have to be careful,” Trillanes said. “And the last thing you do as far as Alan Cayetano is concerned is to believe him,” he added. Trillanes said the incident appeared designed to create confusion and sympathy for Dela Rosa. “Clearly staged ‘yan. Planned ‘yan to benefit Bato and Alan Cayetano,” he said.[Translation: That was clearly staged. That was planned to benefit Bato and Alan Cayetano.] The former senator also questioned the gunshots shortly after authorities and National Bureau of Investigation personnel attempted to enter the Senate complex. “Biglang may putukan. Tapos ang narrative agad, inaapi si Bato,” Trillanes…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said he has “zero expectations” of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla as he called for a nationwide manhunt for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa after his escape from the Senate complex while facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Trillanes criticized Remulla and law enforcement authorities after Dela Rosa supposedly slipped out of the Senate hours after a tense standoff between the National Bureau of Investigation and Senate security. “Alam mo, suko na ako dito kay Secretary Jonvic,” Trillanes said.[Translation: You know, I’ve already given up on Secretary Jonvic.] “If you think at one point, he cannot top ‘yung incompetence niya, talagang he keeps on outdoing himself,” he added.[Translation: If you think he can no longer top his incompetence, he somehow keeps on outdoing himself.] Trillanes questioned how Dela Rosa managed to evade authorities despite Remulla…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate will convene as an Impeachment Court on Monday, May 18 at 3 p.m., or at the soonest possible time after receiving the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from the House of Representatives, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday, May 14. Cayetano said the Senate secretariat had been directed to include the Articles of Impeachment in the calendar of ordinary business. He said the Senate is preparing a draft calendar for the proceedings and stressed there would be no delays in the impeachment process. “Actually what we’re doing now after the meeting, we’re gonna make a draft calendar,” Cayetano said. “The calendar will not be based on anything that is discretionary. It will be based on objectivity.” He added that the schedule would follow the timelines prescribed under Senate rules, including the number of days allotted for responses before the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Authorities are looking into the possibility that the gunfire scare at the Senate halls was “staged,” National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said the morning after the chaos.  In a briefing with Palace press officer Claire Castro on Thursday, May 14, Matibag was asked to comment on the ties between the timeline of Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s arrest attempt and the commotion on Wednesday night. He was asked if authorities are also looking at the incident as “staged.” “That is a part of an ongoing investigation,” Matibag said, citing reasons such as Dela Rosa’s alleged “hiding” after rumors of the warrant began to float last year.  “Well, I’ll be very honest, that’s the sentiment of our NBI agents kasi nandoon kami [we were there]…isa na po sa aming tinitingnan iyon [that’s one of the things we’re looking at],” he added. The NBI director said Senate…