Cayetano Siblings Raise Allegations of Threats Amid Impeachment Trial

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano on Monday raised concerns about alleged threats and intimidation against them and other senator-judges involved in the impeachment trial. During the 24th day of the impeachment proceedings, Pia Cayetano questioned Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang on whether she had encountered situations where judges, due to their profession, faced threats in public. Tang stated that there were no such incidents related to pending cases before the Sandiganbayan. "I'm happy for you because we have them," Pia Cayetano remarked, contrasting their situation with the absence of such threats for the Sandiganbayan justice. Alan Peter Cayetano, in jest, asked Tang if she could issue a writ of amparo for senator-judges who are being intimidated, noting her first name, Amparo, which means "protection" or "shelter." The writ of amparo is a legal remedy available to individuals whose right to life, liberty, and security is threatened or violated. It covers extralegal killings, enforced disappearances, and threats thereof. In an ambush interview, Alan Peter Cayetano suggested that the threats were allegedly directed at opposition senators. "It's obvious, isn't it, guys? I mean, it's obvious. You can see it with your own eyes. When Senator Ping, for example, says the impeachment should be finished by December, then by December, they're saying I'll be facing charges. The numbers are changing. Who are being charged? Those in the opposition," he stated. When asked about the perpetrators, he retorted, "It wouldn't make sense if those in the opposition are the ones threatening fellow members of the opposition, would it?" He urged, "Let's open our eyes. If we want to see the truth, all we have to do is open our eyes." GMA News Online has reached out to the office of Senator Lacson for comment and will update the story once a response is received. Source: GMA News Philippines