Senator-judge Pia Cayetano questioned the timing and purpose of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe into alleged 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games anomalies involving her brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, saying the move could distract the Senate from its work during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Cayetano said the investigation may be intended to divert attention from the trial, where Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is expected to appear as a resource person.

“He is distracting us from our job. As Senator Alan said, he could do it quietly. Go ahead! Anong purpose niya?” Cayetano said.

She also questioned whether the move was meant to intimidate senators from asking difficult questions.

“Is he trying to intimidate us not to ask him tough questions when he is our resource person next week?” she asked.

Cayetano emphasized that senators are accustomed to criticism but said they can recognize when actions appear to be directed at them.

“Hindi tayo sensitive, sanay tayo dito. Pero alam din natin kung pinapatamaan tayo diba, alam natin ‘yun. Hindi tayo tanga,” she said.

She urged her fellow senators to carefully assess the situation, saying, “The Filipino people deserve better. We deserve better.”