MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday he was not concerned about Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano traveling to Singapore with his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, despite Alan Peter’s involvement in several ongoing cases.
“They probably need a break. I know that they have been under stress lately. It’s what Sen. Ping Lacson said, and I will follow the words of Sen. Ping Lacson,” Remulla said during a press briefing.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed Thursday that the two senators flew to Singapore on Wednesday and arrived at Changi Airport hours later. The agency said neither senator had a hold departure order or derogatory record that would prevent them from leaving the country.
The bureau did not disclose whether Alan Peter’s wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, also traveled to Singapore.
Sen. Ping Lacson said in a social media post that the trip was “not an issue as of the moment” and that Alan Peter should get a “break from the stress caused by issues that he himself created.”
Lacson and Alan Peter have publicly disputed allegations involving flood control and reclamation projects in Taguig City.
Lacson submitted at least 45 case studies supported with official documents to the Office of the Ombudsman, alleging “systemic anomalies” in flood control infrastructure projects in the city.
The National Bureau of Investigation and the Ombudsman also continue to investigate Alan Peter over alleged irregularities involving the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.
The Ombudsman also ordered Alan Peter and Sen. Robin Padilla to respond to a complaint concerning Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate premises last month.
Remulla said he expected the Cayetanos to return to the Philippines and resume their duties.
“I don’t think it (Cayetanos’ trip) will follow the other path that Loren Legarda and her son took,” Remulla said.
“Tingin ko naman babalik naman. Eh, mayor pa si Lani. Si Lani sumama. Mabuting asawa, sinamahan yung kanyang asawa na umalis. At tingin ko naman hindi nila iiwan yung kanilang posisyon,” he added.
(I think they will return. Lani is still the mayor. She joined them. A good wife, she joined her husband in leaving. And I think they will not leave their positions.)
Sen. Loren Legarda has remained on medical leave since Aug. 3 and recently extended her leave through Sept. 16.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Lacson have said Legarda is receiving treatment for a lung problem. Legarda has not publicly disclosed details about her condition.
The Ombudsman previously described Legarda’s extended leave as “suspicious” amid plunder and graft complaints involving her and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste.
