Alan Peter Cayetano, isinuko na ang pagkapangulo ng Senado

Tinanggap na ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Miyerkoles ng umaga na hindi na siya ang magiging pangulo ng Senado matapos sumali si Senador Joel Villanueva sa bagong mayorya, na nagbibigay sa huli ng sapat na bilang para maghalal ng bagong pinuno para sa Mataas na Kapulungan.

"And now, after speaking with Sen. Joel Villanueva, it appears our colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President. I will not stand in the way of that vote. No leadership in a democracy is ever permanent; every office we hold is a loan, never a possession. To whoever this chamber lawfully elects, I extend my congratulations and my cooperation in advance," sabi ni Cayetano sa isang pahayag sa Facebook.

"And so I will end with a message to the public — it has been the honor of my life to serve as your Senate President," sabi pa niya.

"Offices are temporary, titles are temporary, even majorities are temporary — but your right to the truth is not. I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. We will find the Masterminds. We will hold them accountable," dagdag ni Cayetano.

"With gratitude to GOD, who lent me this office for a season, and with a promise to you, I will go on fighting for your right to the truth beyond any office, any position, any title, for as long as I am able. That promise does not change hands. And it will outlast us all," sabi pa ni Cayetano.

"I may leave the position of SP, but I am honored to still be your PS — your Public Servant," dagdag niya.

Sinamantala ni Cayetano ang pagkakataon para pasalamatan ang mga kapwa senador na sumuporta sa kaniya, kabilang sina Jinggoy Estrada at Rodante Marcoleta.

"I would like to honor the deep personal sacrifice of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and his family. He stood his ground. And Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, for not bowing to pressure even when the threats of arrest has been coming from all sides. I will not forget it, and I will not let it count for nothing," sabi niya.

Sinabi rin ni Cayetano na wala siyang hinanakit laban sa isang "brother who, in the end, felt he had no choice but to make peace with the new reality."

Sinabi rin niyang malungkot siya "to watch our country slip toward darkness — to see our people suffer, and to hear some begin to say there is no hope."

"I am sad that so many in our government are willing to look away from corruption when looking away is convenient — to trade the people’s right to the truth for a season of political advantage. That is the real loss. Not a gavel, but a conscience," dagdag niya.

"This was never about the Senate presidency. From th