MANILA — Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Sunday questioned the status of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano amid an ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate, while also rejecting allegations tied to the flood control investigation.

In a statement posted on his website, Lacson criticized Cayetano’s continued claims regarding Senate leadership and his use of livestreaming, including running Senate-related discussions on Facebook Live.

Lacson also dismissed Cayetano’s allegations that he colluded with Malacañang to implicate certain personalities in the flood control scandal while shielding others.

“The Executive Department, House of Representatives, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, law deans, law professors, former Senate presidents and many others do not recognize Senator Alan Cayetano as the President of the Senate. So, what is he?” Lacson said on X.

“When you’re strong on the law, pound the law. When you’re strong on the facts, pound the facts. When you’re weak on both… — mag-Facebook Live ka na lang,” he added.

Lacson said findings from the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan had validated the Blue Ribbon Committee’s recommendations during his term as chair, countering Cayetano’s accusations.

He added that the committee’s hearings were guided by evidence, which led to the filing of charges against several individuals, including fellow senators.

While expressing concern over the situation of some colleagues, Lacson maintained he could not disregard his responsibilities as committee chairman at the time.

“I repeat: If we will investigate in aid of legislation just to cover up for some people, we might as well not investigate at all,” he said.

On June 3, 12 senators reportedly convened despite a Cayetano-led boycott by members of the then majority. The group elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President, a leadership change that was recognized by Malacañang, the House leadership, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, among others.

Despite this, Cayetano maintained that he remained Senate president and proceeded with a hearing last Thursday, also claiming he would preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lacson also responded to Cayetano’s Facebook Live remarks, where the latter alleged selective accountability in the flood control issue.

“Lie pa more, kung saan siya masaya (He can tell more lies, whatever makes him happy),” Lacson said in response to Cayetano’s 50-minute livestream.

“The fact that the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan have already validated the Blue Ribbon Committee’s recommendations belies Cayetano’s accusations,” he added.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, the new Blue Ribbon chairman, has scheduled a hearing on the flood control issue on Monday, June 8.