MANILA — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson criticized Senator Alan Peter Cayetano over his “lapdog” remarks against several colleagues, saying the latter may be nearing a “meltdown.”

In a post on X, Lacson responded to Cayetano’s statements and expressed concern over his remarks.

“Kawawa naman. Kung anu-ano na sinasabi. Parang malapit nang bumigay. Sana hindi matuluyang mag meltdown,” Lacson said in a post on X.

“I pity him. He’s now saying all sorts of things. It seems he’s about to break down. I hope it doesn’t lead to a full meltdown,” he added.

Lacson also rejected Cayetano’s characterization of him, responding to being called a “dog” in the remarks.

“ASO? I WILL NEVER ADMIT THAT. Pero, siya – Kuya Ping ang tawag niya sa akin – matagal na… SELF-ADMISSION yata ang tawag dun,” he said.

“Me, a dog? I will never admit that. But for him to have called me ‘Kuya Ping’ and then call me a dog, it could be a case of self-admission for him,” he added.

Cayetano remarks

The exchange followed remarks made by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday, where he referred to Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Raffy Tulfo as “lapdogs” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while also calling Senator Erwin Tulfo a “lapdog” of Lacson.

“Sabi nila, sabi ni Raffy Tulfo, hindi daw sila Malacañang, in other words, hindi sila tuta,” Cayetano said.

“But doon mo makikita yung graduated and experienced. Bakit? Kasi si Senator Tito Sotto and Raffy Tulfo, at least sila tuta ng Malacañang, pero si Erwin Tulfo, tuta lang ni Lacson,” he added.

“Si Lacson? Hindi na po tuta si Lacson, aso na po siya. Matagal na,” he also said.

He clarified that by “aso,” he meant someone who follows orders and carries out instructions.

Previous ties, ‘quicksand mentality’

Lacson also recalled that he had supported Cayetano during his 2007 senatorial bid under the Arroyo administration’s midterm elections, where Cayetano faced a namesake nuisance candidate.

Both later ran under the “Genuine Opposition” slate alongside several senators including Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Loren Legarda, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Lacson, however, said Cayetano had fallen into what he called a “quicksand mentality” following a series of Facebook Live posts defending his position on the Senate presidency.

He also reiterated earlier allegations that funds were allegedly wasted during Cayetano’s brief Senate leadership, which lasted 28 days and was marked, according to Lacson, by controversies and lack of legislative output.

“QUICKSAND MENTALITY: Defending the indefensible and justifying the unjustifiable,” Lacson said.