Alan Cayetano wears black in protest, may watch Marcos’ Sona on TV

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano flashes an ‘L’ sign as he poses for a photo with (from left) Sens. Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano and Imee Marcos during the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress at the Senate on Monday, July 27, 2026. — Photo by Maila Ager/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — As a sign of protest, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano wore a black long-sleeved barong Tagalog when he attended the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress in the Senate. Twenty-one of 24 senators were present when the session opened at 10:02 a.m. READ: Congress convenes for 2nd regular session Article continues after this advertisement Like Cayetano, other minority leaders like his sister, Pia, were dressed in black. “We haven’t discussed it as a group yet. Personally, I’d rather just watch it on TV. I think the administration would probably be more comfortable with that arrangement as well,” the minority leader told reporters when asked if his group would attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address in the afternoon. “And it’s my simple way of protesting, including by wearing black,” Cayetano added. Citing the 1986 People Power revolution, the minority leader believes that democracy is currently in danger, noting critics of the administration who have been charged and sent to jail. “It’s about freedom and democracy,” he stressed. “Just look at all those who have been charged and imprisoned.” Article continues after this advertisement “If you stay quiet and go along with them, it’s like, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’ You may be happy, but the country is the one that suffers. But if you stand by your principles, you’re the one who gets charged,” he went on. His two colleagues in the minority — Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada — are currently jailed in connection with two separate non-bailable charges. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Visit our Sona 2026 live coverage to stay updated with the latest #SONA2026 news and stories.