Screengrab from Senator Alan Cayetano

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano pushed back against allegations that the Senate leadership change was meant to delay the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that the chamber is already preparing to convene as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18.

In a lengthy public address following the tense incident inside the Senate complex, Cayetano said the impeachment process was already moving forward despite the political turmoil and the reported attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa inside the Senate building.

Cayetano confirmed that the Senate received the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives on May 13 and immediately transmitted its official response the following day. He said all senators had already been furnished copies of the complaint and informed that the Senate would convene as an impeachment court at 3 p.m. on May 18.

The Senate chief denied claims that the new majority bloc was trying to derail the proceedings, saying both majority and minority senators were expected to follow the existing impeachment rules used in previous trials.

He also criticized several law school deans and opposition figures who accused the Senate leadership of deliberately slowing down the impeachment process, saying the accusations were unfair and ignored the chamber’s actual actions.

At the center of Cayetano’s speech was his strong criticism of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and NBI Director Melvin Matibag over the confrontation inside the Senate complex earlier this week.

According to Cayetano, NBI agents were already inside the Senate on Monday as part of an operation involving dela Rosa, whom the International Criminal Court is seeking to arrest over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Cayetano claimed the NBI initially assured Senate officials that no arrest would take place inside the Senate grounds and that the agency would coordinate closely with Senate authorities. However, he alleged that armed NBI personnel later entered areas near the Senate and GSIS complex without proper coordination, escalating tensions that eventually led to gunfire.

He said Senate officials repeatedly contacted the NBI for clarification after receiving reports of agents in tactical gear around the complex, but were allegedly told that no NBI personnel were present.

Moments later, gunshots erupted near the Senate grounds.

Cayetano defended the actions of Senate security personnel, saying they believed the institution was under threat and had to protect senators and staff inside the building. He also revealed that an acting Sergeant-at-Arms had already been designated following the incident.

The Senate president also called on the Office of the Ombudsman to place Matibag under preventive suspension while the investigation continues, arguing that the NBI leadership should also face scrutiny.

He accused some individuals of trying to sabotage the impeachment process for political reasons tied to the 2028 elections and the Senate presidency race. Despite the controversy, Cayetano said the Senate would proceed with its constitutional duty and focus on formally convening the impeachment court.

The impeachment trial itself is not expected to immediately begin once the court is convened, since Vice President Duterte must first receive and answer the summons before full proceedings can move forward.

Cayetano also appealed for calm and unity, urging the public not to fall for what he described as competing political narratives surrounding the incident.

He maintained that the Senate was not in chaos but was instead being destabilized by outside forces amid rising political tensions in the country.