Dev Flores

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano reiterates that the change of Senate leadership is not intended to delay the impeachment proceedings.

“Pero nakita niyo naman po, Wednesday night, nung nakuha natin yung articles of impeachment kahit na may kaguluhan sa Senate, tinapos po natin. Hindi totoo at propaganda lang at paninira sa bagong majority na yung impeachment ang main reason ng pagpapalit,” he said

[“But as you can see, Wednesday night, when we received the articles of impeachment, amidst the trouble in Senate, we accomplished. It’s not true, and just propaganda, and a dishonor to the new majority to those who are claiming that the impeachment is the main reason for change.”]

The Senate President clarified that the recalibration is intended to address social issues, such as the oil crisis, which he claimed the previous leadership didn’t pay attention to.

“Ah marami tayong pag-uusapan kung bakit pinalitan ang ah majority. Kasama diyan yung direksyon. Tingin ko po hindi natututukan ng husto yung present crisis ng ating bansa. Fuel crisis, crisis po sa energy, crisis po sa trust sa gobyerno. And I'm not talking about the administration alone. Trust in the legislature, in the House, the Senate,” he said

[“We’ll talk about a lot of things why the majority has changed. That includes direction. I think the present crisis in our country has not been totally addressed. Fuel crisis, crisis in energy, crisis of trust in the government. And I'm not talking about the administration alone. Trust in the legislature, in the House, the Senate.”]

He also clarified that the trouble in the Senate is beyond their control.

“Hindi po magulo ang Senado. Look at our sessions since I took my oath. Lahat ng session very orderly, puno ng substance, at sumusunod kami. Yung panggugulo ay nangyayari, before or after the session, and was beyond our control.”

[“The Senate is not disorganized. Look at our sessions since I took my oath. All sessions were very orderly, full of substance, and we followed. The trouble happened before or after the session, and was beyond our control.”]

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued a reminder to its personnel, particularly vloggers or content creators, to exercise caution when posting political content amid the rising tensions regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

According to PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. there are existing regulations that prohibit the police from joining partisan political activity, noting that the personnel must remain professional and impartial.

The articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte have been transmitted to the Senate. The documents were received by Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza. In line with this, the impeachment process will officially move to the upper chamber.

Following the transmission, gunshots were heard inside the Senate building, which caused tension and fear among media practitioners and the public.

In an interview with House Senior Deputy Minority Leader, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist, and House Prosecution Panel Member Representative Leila De Lima, she stated that the shooting incident shouldn’t affect the impeachment proceedings. 

The congresswoman further emphasized that one of the best solutions to the current situation is that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa must surrender to authorities, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Senator.

“Ang pinaka-solusyon ay i-surrender na talaga si Sen. Bato para maka-focus na ang institusyon doon sa kanyang constitutional duty na mag-convene na as an impeachment court at magsagawa na ng impeachment trial,” she said

[“The ultimate solution is to surrender Sen. Bato, so the institution may focus on its constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court and conduct an impeachment trial.”]

De Lima also stated that the presence of Bato may influence or affect the impeachment proceedings. 

“So his continued presence there really would taint the institution, the Senate as an institution, and if he participates, lalo na sa impeachment process na mayroong nagpaparticipate na isang fugitive,” she said

[“So his continued presence there really would taint the institution, the Senate as an institution, and if he participates, especially in the impeachment process where there is one fugitive participating.”]

Following the shooting incident in the Senate building last Wednesday night, May 13, 2026, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is currently conducting an investigation.

The Pasay PNP, together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, is in charge of the investigation into the incident, while the Anti-Cybercrime Group handles the CCTV footage reserves. 

According to PNP-PIO Chief PBGen. Randulf Tuaño, three institutional units provide security inside the Senate building - the Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA), Police Security and Protection Group (PSGP), and the Marines; they undergo a paraffin test.

“Pag makaraan po na makalabas today yung mga paraffin exam na isinagawa, at tsaka yung mga forensic na ginawa po ng FG, makikita po natin, kung kanino pong firearms yung magmamatch,” he said

The trajectory of the bullet shots is also included in the investigation.

“Initially, kausap po natin yung mga taga-SOCO, nagtataka po sila sapagkat yung mga trajectory na nakikita niyo po sa larawan ay masyado pong mataas o pataas po siya,” according to PBGen. Tuaño

Also, a magazine and a M-16 rifle were recovered from the alleged NBI volunteer involved in the incident. An individual was arrested and will face different violations, including Illegal Possession of Ammunition, Alarms and Scandal, and others, according to PBGen. Tuaño.

This is a developing story

With reports from Lea Ylagan

The House Prosecution team is ongoing with their preparations for the upcoming impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte; that was confirmed by the three members - Representatives Leila De Lima, Chel Diokno, and Joel Chua.

The prosecution panel members will be divided based on the four articles of impeachment submitted to the upper chamber.

“Per article mayroong assigned team. We’re starting na nga and si for us, ‘yong mga team meetings, focused preparation, focused sa discussion on the articles,” according to Rep. Leila De Lima

According to the prosecution members, they meet almost every day, for the preparation, except on weekends.

The convening of the Senate impeachment court will begin on May 18, 2026; Bicol-Saro Partylist and House prosecution panel member Rep. Terry Ridon confirmed that the panel will attend on the mentioned date. 

“The House prosecution panel will attend the convening of the Senate impeachment court on Monday, May 18.

With reports from Rosalie Coz