Manila: In a rare and unprecedented show of unity, former members of the historically rival student political formations from the University of the Philippines-SAMASA and Nagkaisang Tugon-have jointly called for the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. They describe his actions during the recent Senate controversy involving Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa as a 'grave failure of leadership, judgment, and institutional responsibility.'
According to Philippines News Agency, SAMASA and Tugon represented competing traditions and sharply divided political convictions, standing on opposite sides of some of the fiercest ideological and political battles in UP student politics, particularly during the 1980s. In a joint statement released Saturday, the coalition said the seriousness of the present crisis compelled former members of both groups to set aside decades of rivalry in defense of democratic institutions and accountability.
The coalition highlighted the significance of the call, noting that it includes members of Nagkaisang Tugon itself, the student political formation under which Alan Peter Cayetano once served as a University Student Councilor. 'When even one's own political roots and former allies publicly repudiate one's leadership, it reflects a profound belief that institutional and democratic boundaries have been dangerously crossed,' the coalition said.
The coalition clarified that its call is not rooted in ideology or partisan disagreement but is about Cayetano's alleged misuse of the Senate's institutional authority during the controversy surrounding Dela Rosa's supposed protective custody. They argue that the Senate, under his leadership, transformed itself into a stage for political theater, confusion, and brinkmanship, escalating a situation that should have been handled with sobriety, clarity, and respect for legal processes into chaos and armed tension.
The group contends that the Senate leadership assumed responsibility over Dela Rosa while obstructing or delaying lawful enforcement efforts. They argue that institutions are undermined when accountability is evaded, stressing that the incident deepens public distrust in institutions and reinforces perceptions that laws are applied differently depending on political influence and connections.
The statement further warned that such incidents weaken democratic norms and erode public faith in justice, highlighting how swiftly the law moves against the powerless compared to the politically connected. According to the group, the consequences extend far beyond one political episode, asserting that societal governance becomes more challenging when Filipinos lose faith in institutional fairness and competence.
The coalition criticized Cayetano for appearing more interested in justifying the spectacle and excusing the escape than acknowledging the gravity of the situation. They ended the statement with a direct call for Cayetano to step down, emphasizing that public office requires maturity, restraint, competence, and respect for institutions larger than oneself. The statement was signed by 152 former members of SAMASA and Tugon.
