Philippine Bishops Warn Senate Shake-Up Could Undermine Corruption Probe

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has cautioned that any attempt to change the Senate leadership at this time would only fuel public suspicion that senators are trying to cover up the alleged flood control scam.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP president and Bishop of Kalookan, emphasized that Filipinos are closely following the Senate’s investigation into irregularities in government projects. “To change Senate leadership or redirect investigations now would only heighten public suspicion of a cover-up,” he warned.

“We strongly oppose any attempt to pre-empt or derail the investigation through backroom deals, leadership takeovers, or selective justice,” David said firmly.

He added, “A nation cannot heal when its moral arteries are clogged by corruption and self-interest. No to a whitewash. Yes to full accountability.”

Speculation swirled over the weekend that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III might be replaced by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, a member of the minority bloc and a known ally of former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte.

Earlier, Senator JV Ejercito revealed that he and four other senators had considered breaking away from the majority bloc, citing frustration that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation appeared to focus only on senators, while sparing alleged masterminds of the flood control scam in the House of Representatives.

Despite the rumors of a leadership shake-up, Sotto expressed confidence that he still enjoys the support of the majority bloc.

“Very confident,” Sotto said briefly when asked by reporters.

Senator Erwin Tulfo likewise clarified that no one had reached out to him regarding any leadership change. He shared that he and Senator Raffy Tulfo waited for calls over the weekend but received none—unlike in previous instances when leadership coups were preceded by behind-the-scenes discussions.