Cayetano: 'Obvious' who's behind threats vs minority

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said it was 'obvious' who was allegedly behind threats against members of the minority, while his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, separately raised concerns over intimidation against senator-judges during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 'It’s obvious, isn’t it, guys? It’s obvious, you know,' Cayetano told reporters when asked about the alleged threats. He did not name names but stressed that the intent was clear. For her part, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who is part of the majority bloc in the Senate, said she was concerned about the alleged intimidation of senators who are acting as judges in the impeachment trial. 'I am concerned about any form of intimidation or pressure that may be exerted on our senators who are acting as judges in this impeachment trial,' she said in a separate interview. 'It is important for them to be able to deliberate and decide based on the evidence presented, free from any undue influence,' she added. The impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, who is also the Secretary of Education, has been ongoing for several weeks. The trial is being closely watched by the public and has been a subject of intense debate and speculation. Both Cayetano siblings are prominent figures in Philippine politics. Alan Peter Cayetano has previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Pia Cayetano is a long-serving senator known for her advocacy on various social issues. Their statements come at a time when political polarization in the Philippines appears to be deepening, with the upcoming elections also contributing to the heightened political atmosphere. The minority bloc in the Senate has been vocal in its opposition to certain government policies and actions. Threats against them, if proven, could have serious implications for the country's democratic processes and the protection of dissent.