SENATOR ALAN CAYETANO: CUT AND CUT CLEANLY
I agree with the position of Senator Frank Drilon that there is a presumption of regularity in the declaration of all Senate positions vacant, including that of former Senate President Alan Cayetano.
Alan knows this.
That is why he has not gone to the Supreme Court to challenge his removal.
Because at the heart of this latest Senate coup lies a reality that extends beyond questions of quorum, procedure, or parliamentary technicalities. The real issue is who has the numbers to control the Senate.
And even assuming for the sake of argument that the Supreme Court were to rule in Alan’s favor, what then?
On the first day of session, there would simply be another motion declaring all positions vacant. This time, there would be 13 votes.
The reality is that parliamentary power ultimately rests not on titles but on numbers.
Indeed, the issue may be resolved even sooner if the President calls a special session of Congress. If Alan has only ten votes and if reports are accurate that he may lose yet another supporter, on what basis can he continue to claim the Senate Presidency?
The larger lesson for Senator Alan Cayetano and for the country is this:
In a democracy, institutions are bigger than the ambitions of any one leader.
No office belongs to any individual. Every position is held only so long as one retains the confidence of those empowered to confer it.
Legitimacy does not come from clinging to office. It comes from retaining the confidence of those empowered to choose their leaders.
This is why democratic institutions endure. Leaders come and go but institutions must continue to function regardless of the fortunes of any one person.
When the numbers are gone, the title eventually follows.
The wise course now is not to prolong the contest but to accept the verdict of the numbers.
Therefore, I beseech you, Senator Alan Cayetano. Let the institution move forward. Cut and cut cleanly.