Senator surrenders to police, vows to remain with Senate majority bloc

A senator surrendered to agents of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday afternoon, June 1. He told reporters he would remain part of the Senate majority bloc. ” He stated he had received offers to leave the bloc but did not name who made them.

The senator was accompanied at the briefing by Senate President Cayetano and two other senators from the majority bloc. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and PNP-CIDG personnel were also present.

Senate independence The senator said he would not yield to threats or pressure. He added that the independence of the Senate must remain free from political coercion. He instructed Senate officials to withhold his salary and said he would not use the chamber as a shield against the allegations.

Records from the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office show no evidence of budget insertions by him, he stated.

Background on the case This marks the senator’s third plunder case in 25 years.

He was acquitted in two prior cases, one in 2001 and another in 2014. Other members of the Senate majority bloc also face plunder allegations. One senator is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Prior to the surrender, the majority bloc moved to amend Senate rules to allow online sessions. The minority bloc questioned the process and staged a walkout.