Screengrab from Senator Alan Peter Cayetano

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday called for a broader and impartial investigation into the country’s multibillion-peso flood control controversy, warning against what he described as efforts to selectively target certain lawmakers while ignoring the bigger picture behind the alleged corruption.

Speaking during a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano said the Senate majority intends to move forward with hearings on flood control projects next week as public pressure continues to build over allegations of kickbacks and anomalous infrastructure spending.

According to Cayetano, Senator Rodolfo Marcoleta is expected to issue notices on Monday, June 1, so hearings can proceed by Thursday, June 4. He said the Senate wants a full accounting of the controversy and not a partial investigation focused only on a few personalities.

The flood control issue has become one of the most explosive political controversies in recent weeks after the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and plunder complaints against several lawmakers and former government officials over alleged irregularities involving flood mitigation projects funded by the national budget.

Among those facing charges is Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who earlier posted bail before the Sandiganbayan while denying all allegations linked to the case. Former Department of Public Works and Highways officials have also been implicated in the expanding investigation.

Cayetano questioned the sudden wave of parallel investigations and public statements coming from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, at the same time the Senate was preparing to conduct its own hearings.

He also raised concerns over reports that some members of the Senate majority were allegedly being investigated in relation to Senator Bato dela Rosa amid discussions surrounding a possible arrest warrant.

The senator claimed some lawmakers were being pressured and intimidated as political tensions inside the Senate continue to escalate. According to Cayetano, attempts to weaken the majority bloc were already happening even before the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte formally begin in July.

Despite the controversy, Cayetano insisted the Senate hearings would focus on accountability and transparency, adding that no public official — including senators, the president, or the vice president — should be exempt from scrutiny if evidence of wrongdoing exists.

He also urged the public to closely monitor the Senate proceedings, saying the flood control controversy directly affects taxpayers and comes at a time when Filipinos are already struggling with inflation, fuel prices, unemployment, and other economic concerns.

The Senate is expected to tackle both the flood control investigations and the ongoing dispute over proposed remote voting rules once sessions resume.