Senator Cayetano Expresses Fear for Liberty, Right to Speak Amid Political Tensions

Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday expressed her fear for her liberty and right to speak amid heightened political tensions surrounding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The senator stated she felt pressure as more members of the minority bloc face cases. During a Senate session where senator-judges heard insights from four retired Supreme Court justices on the voting threshold for conviction, Cayetano observed that several senators had been unable to attend hearings. Currently, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained on separate plunder charges, while Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in hiding following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Senator Loren Legarda has also been abroad on extended medical leave and has not attended the trial for several weeks. Cayetano recounted an instance where, during her visit to Singapore, the director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) made statements implying he monitored her whereabouts and had information about her return date. "Am I a fugitive? Why is it like this?" she questioned. "I will tell you all now, am I pressured? I am. I fear for my liberty. Even in the Senate, we have a colleague who just won’t stop going after us. I fear for my right to speak," she added. She alluded to the ruling by Presiding Officer Francis Escudero that conviction in the impeachment trial requires at least 16 affirmative votes, or two-thirds of all senators, stating, "But if that number is not changed, then we can speak freely here," suggesting her ability to speak might be contingent on this. Senator Pia Cayetano and her brother, Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, traveled to Singapore from September 9 to September 12. According to the Bureau of Immigration, there were no hold departure orders or derogatory records that would have prevented their travel. Information Source: GMA News Philippines