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Pia Cayetano Says Senators Were 'Left On Our Own' During Senate Shooting Scare
Screengrab from Pia Cayetano's FB LIVE
Senator Pia Cayetano broke her silence in a lengthy Facebook Live, sharing her personal account of the tense moments inside the Senate during the reported shooting scare last Wednesday, May 13.
Speaking directly to viewers, Cayetano said she wanted to “document” everything while the events were still fresh in her memory, stressing that she would only speak about what she personally witnessed inside the office of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
According to Cayetano, senators were in a caucus discussing committee assignments and the looming impeachment complaint when they suddenly heard gunfire nearby.
“At first, akala namin paputok lang,” she recalled. “Sino ba naman mag-iisip na may nagpapabarilan sa tabi mo?”
As tension rose, they were reportedly advised to switch off the lights inside the room. Cayetano said fear quickly set in as lawmakers and staff scrambled to contact authorities for help.
One of the calls made was to NBI Director Jaime Santiago Matibag through Senator Loren Legarda. Cayetano claimed the response they received left her shocked.
“Wala akong magagawa. Wala kami dyan,” she quoted the NBI official as saying.
The senator admitted she became emotional after hearing the response.
“I was so taken aback,” she said. “You’re calling for help because may nagpuputukan sa likod ninyo, and then ang sagot sa’yo is, ‘wala kami magagawa.’”
Cayetano also claimed she told the official, “Do your job,” after allegedly being informed that no NBI personnel were present in the Senate area.
She later compared the response to the reaction she received from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who she said immediately assured them assistance was on the way.
“I’ll be there, ma’am. Don’t worry. Pupunta na ho ako dyan,” Cayetano recalled Remulla telling her.
A major point in Cayetano’s livestream centered on the alleged presence of NBI personnel inside the nearby GSIS compound. She argued that while officials publicly claimed there were no NBI agents “inside the Senate,” agents were allegedly stationed in the adjoining GSIS complex — an area she described as physically connected to Senate offices.
“Magkadugtong ang building namin,” she explained. “It is one complex.”
Cayetano questioned why authorities supposedly failed to extend assistance despite being only a short distance away.
“You were right there. Not you personally, but your people,” she said.
The senator also pushed back against online conspiracy theories surrounding the incident, including claims that lawmakers intentionally went live on social media simultaneously.
“My God,” she said. “Even the staff, you think hindi magla-live or tatawag sa loved ones nila? That’s normal.”
Despite the controversy, Cayetano said the Senate would continue its work, including preparations related to the impeachment process and upcoming committee hearings.
“We just want to get the work done,” she said.
She ended her livestream by urging Filipinos to stay informed but continue focusing on their daily lives and responsibilities.
“We need to be productive,” Cayetano said. “We need to make our mark in Asia.”
Speaking directly to viewers, Cayetano said she wanted to “document” everything while the events were still fresh in her memory, stressing that she would only speak about what she personally witnessed inside the office of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
According to Cayetano, senators were in a caucus discussing committee assignments and the looming impeachment complaint when they suddenly heard gunfire nearby.
“At first, akala namin paputok lang,” she recalled. “Sino ba naman mag-iisip na may nagpapabarilan sa tabi mo?”
As tension rose, they were reportedly advised to switch off the lights inside the room. Cayetano said fear quickly set in as lawmakers and staff scrambled to contact authorities for help.
One of the calls made was to NBI Director Jaime Santiago Matibag through Senator Loren Legarda. Cayetano claimed the response they received left her shocked.
“Wala akong magagawa. Wala kami dyan,” she quoted the NBI official as saying.
The senator admitted she became emotional after hearing the response.
“I was so taken aback,” she said. “You’re calling for help because may nagpuputukan sa likod ninyo, and then ang sagot sa’yo is, ‘wala kami magagawa.’”
Cayetano also claimed she told the official, “Do your job,” after allegedly being informed that no NBI personnel were present in the Senate area.
She later compared the response to the reaction she received from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who she said immediately assured them assistance was on the way.
“I’ll be there, ma’am. Don’t worry. Pupunta na ho ako dyan,” Cayetano recalled Remulla telling her.
A major point in Cayetano’s livestream centered on the alleged presence of NBI personnel inside the nearby GSIS compound. She argued that while officials publicly claimed there were no NBI agents “inside the Senate,” agents were allegedly stationed in the adjoining GSIS complex — an area she described as physically connected to Senate offices.
“Magkadugtong ang building namin,” she explained. “It is one complex.”
Cayetano questioned why authorities supposedly failed to extend assistance despite being only a short distance away.
“You were right there. Not you personally, but your people,” she said.
The senator also pushed back against online conspiracy theories surrounding the incident, including claims that lawmakers intentionally went live on social media simultaneously.
“My God,” she said. “Even the staff, you think hindi magla-live or tatawag sa loved ones nila? That’s normal.”
Despite the controversy, Cayetano said the Senate would continue its work, including preparations related to the impeachment process and upcoming committee hearings.
“We just want to get the work done,” she said.
She ended her livestream by urging Filipinos to stay informed but continue focusing on their daily lives and responsibilities.
“We need to be productive,” Cayetano said. “We need to make our mark in Asia.”
May 15, 2026
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