• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Representative Julio Ledesma IV has called Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano “a disgrace to the Senate” and vowed to seek declarations of persona non grata against him from local government units (LGUs) in the first district of Negros Occidental.
In a strongly worded social media post issued late Wednesday, Ledesma blamed Cayetano for the ongoing deadlock in the Senate.
“Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano — you are a disgrace to the Senate. And as a former member of the House, you have done this twice now, for trivializing your duty as legislator,” Ledesma said in his social media account.
The Negros solon said he would urge all local government units in the 1st District of Negros Occidental to pass resolutions declaring Cayetano persona non grata.
The Negros Occidental 1st district is composed of cities of San Carlos and Escalante, and the municipalities of Calatrava, Toboso, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Ledesma’s statement came as the Senate remained paralyzed for two consecutive session days, following a leadership dispute and disagreements over proposed rule changes.
A persona non grata declaration is a formal resolution adopted by a local council expressing strong disapproval of an individual and declaring that person unwelcome within its jurisdiction. While it carries no legal sanctions, it is considered a significant political rebuke.
Asked for his reaction, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo said he would first seek legal guidance before taking a position on Ledesma’s proposal.
If we have a basis, we will support Cong Jules, Gustilo said.
Commenting on the Senate controversy, Gustilo said lawmakers should avoid actions that impede legislative work, stressing that the Senate has many bills to act on.
He believes that the dispute appears to be connected to whether the Senate should proceed with the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., who is the president of Negros ACE (Association of Chief Executives), said the matter has not yet been discussed by the organization, which is composed of 31 mayors in Negros Occidental, excluding highly urbanized Bacolod City.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Escalante lamented what he described as the increasing politicization of the Senate.
“That is not the Senate that we know,” he said, recalling an era when senators such as Miriam Defensor Santiago and Franklin Drilon were known for focusing on issues affecting public welfare.
“Now, it’s more on politics,” Escalante said.
He stressed that Filipinos share responsibility for the quality of leadership in government because elected officials are chosen by the people.
“We cannot blame the Senate since they were elected by the people. We deserve what we get,” he said.
Escalante emphasized the need for voters to exercise greater discernment during elections.
“We should be careful about the people we elect. That is the essence of all these. This is not a popularity contest. It is not about being a good talker. The integrity of the Senate is at stake because it is the last bastion of democracy,” he said.
The Cadiz City mayor also linked the Senate turmoil to the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Duterte.
Escalante added that he would prefer a Senate focused solely on legislative work rather than media exposure.
“My dream for the Senate is no live coverage, no Facebook, no TikTok — just a plain and simple Senate of the Philippines. But that will not happen because it would curtail media access,” he said.
Asked whether Negros ACE would issue a collective statement on the Senate controversy, Escalante said he could not speak on behalf of the mayors of the province.
“We will see what the reaction of the mayors will be regarding the statement of Congressman Jules,” he added.*
