The truth and nothing but…

The Filipino people are demanding this from the Senate. The truth, the full truth, and nothing but the truth.

About what?

The gunshots that a crying Senator Pia Cayetano confirmed were so near, just about two rooms away from where she was.

About her brother Alan Cayetano’s call for help because the “Senate was under attack.”
“First, what is the legal basis for the authorities to enter the vicinity of the Senate, if any? Second, was there formal coordination with the Senate leadership before the operation was carried out, and what was the leadership’s directive in this regard?

“Third, what specific actions prompted and became the trigger for the shooting? Was there a provocation from any side? And which agency, or which individual, was directly responsible for firing the guns?

“Fourth, what steps were taken to ensure the safety of senators, employees, and the media before and after the incident?

“Finally, what evidence was gathered to shed light on the true events?”

Conflicting narratives about the May 13 Senate shooting have been presented by different sources and agencies.

According to Tulfo: “Many versions of the armed confrontation are now circulating. Statements were made that the Senate was under attack, while the Executive denies any offensive operation. Some claim that the tension was triggered by the recent changes in Senate leadership.”

Tulfo said: “Allegations involving the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms and the National Bureau of Investigation, as well as speculation that the shooting itself was a smokescreen to facilitate an escape or create confusion.”

He explained that on the day of the incident, instead of the all-senators caucus, there was only the majority-only caucus.

“Naturally, members of the minority who were no longer part of those internal deliberations eventually went home.

“To suggest that the mere fact that some senators were responsible for what later transpired just because they had already left the premises is speculative, irresponsible, and unsupported by evidence,” Tulfo added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called for urgent action about the Senate shooting:

“I have not been at peace since Monday, as what we are showing is as if nothing happened, as if our institution, our employees, and the Filipinos were not disrespected. What happened here is not a small matter, and it should not be expected to be patched up through Facebook Live, press conferences, and media interviews.

“Has politics completely distorted our standards of how we treat our fellow human beings? The situation stooped so low that here, in and around these same august halls, someone could cock a gun in front of civilians… that has never happened in the Philippines even during times of coups, not even during the darkest days of Martial Law did gunfire erupt within our halls.

“This is no longer political disagreement, this is no longer an issue of taking sides. What should trouble us is the manner by which disagreement is being settled, which reflects a broader national discourse that has become more coarse and unforgiving: when aggression is normalized and humiliation is treated as political currency.

“Let us remember that we have a bicameral legislature with a Senate elected at large, precisely to have a body that can rise above parochial concerns and craft a vision for the entire nation.”