Calls for Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano‘s resignation were made following the shooting incident at the Upper Chamber which placed people’s lives at risk.
The newly installed Senate leader drew criticism of several Filipinos, who urged him to step down after the shooting in the Senate building on the evening of Wednesday, May 13.
The incident did not result in any casualties and injuries, but it nonetheless prompted calls for Cayetano’s resignation, just days after he was voted into his position.
READ: Gunshots fired in standoff at Philippine Senate over ICC suspect | No casualties reported after gunfire in Senate, official says
“This happened in the first week of your Senate Presidency, Alan Peter Cayetano. First week pa lang, people’s lives are already being put at risk and the institution is already being dragged into chaos because of self-interest and preservation. Mag-resign ka na,” a Facebook page said.
The post has garnered 8,900 likes and reactions, 1,200 shares and 550 comments from Filipinos expressing similar sentiments.
“Three days pa lang po. Ang dami nang kaguluhan diyan sa Senado. What else do we look forward to?” a Facebook user wrote.
“Less than a week pa lang, binaboy na ang Senado,” another wrote.
“Alan Cayetano should resign as a Senator. Ginawa niyang taguan ng suspect ang Senado. #CayetanoResign,” a different Pinoy commented, referring to Sen. Ronald “Bato dela Rosa,” who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the “War on Drugs” campaign.
“CAYETANO, RESIGN!!!!!!” another wrote in response to a Facebook Live of Cayetano streamed during the incident.
“I just know that it was staged para makatakas si Bato, t*ng*na niyo! CAYETANO, RESIGN!” a different Pinoy wrote.
Cayetano was among those who livestreamed himself during the shooting, saying they were “allegedly under attack” in the Senate.
He also claimed that four senators “got tips” to leave the premises because something was expected to happen.
Cayetano said they did not leave, as they were waiting for the Articles of Impeachment to be transmitted to the Senate.
After the incident, he was later seen having a meal with other senators from the majority, joined by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who was pictured laughing.
The Senate leader was also seen smiling in the photo uploaded by Sen. Bong Go.
These circumstances have promoted several Filipinos to question whether the shooting was staged.
The Philippine National Police have vowed to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the incident.
Cayetano previously admitted that his vehicle was used to facilitate the Dela Rosa’s entry into the Senate after a six-month absence amid claims of an ICC-issued arrest warrant.
Dela Rosa said he emerged to participate in a vote that ousted then-Senate President Tito Sotto III and installed Cayetano, then a Senate Minority Leader, in the position.
The move took place as the House of Representatives was voting on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate on the same night as the incident.
The Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court for a trial that could lead to Duterte’s removal from office.
