The Manila Times

Senate employees decry leadership dispute

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate employees association expressed concern over the situation faced by the rank-and-file amid the leadership dispute within the Senate. The Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (Senado) on Sunday called on the senators to "respect the professionalism and dignity of Senate employees." The group said that since the incidents of May 11 and May 13 "many employees have experienced heightened anxiety and apprehension." Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on May 11 mustered 13 votes to oust Sen. Vicente Sotto III as Senate president. There was a shooting incident at the Senate on May 13 involving Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca. "As public servants and career employees, Senate personnel have remained steadfast in carrying out their duties despite the uncertainty brought about by competing claims to the leadership of the institution," the Senado said in a statement. "Many employees have found themselves in the difficult position of determining which directives to follow in the absence of clear and uniform guidance from the institution," it added. “Equally troubling are reports that employees who assisted in the June 4, 2026, Blue Ribbon Committee hearing have become the subject of criticism, disparaging remarks, and possible investigation.”