Transcript of interview:
Sen. Pia on moves to suspend Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
"I trust that House members will vote according to their conscience"

Question: Please give us your reaction on the 45-day suspension recommended against your brother

Senator Pia S. Cayetano (PSC): Well, my brother is a big boy. We're proud of him. He can take care of himself but we're behind him all the way. I understand that this may be brought to the plenary [and should it push through], I trust that our colleagues in the House of Representatives would vote on conscience, and not just because they are told to do so. And if not, I think that the people of the Philippines can also make their own judgment based on what they have observed [in the ethics committee hearings]. I stand behind my brother, my family, and I know that my father will be proud of him. I will not comment of the merits of his case, I have my own job to take care of, but I trust him. He has always been a person of integrity, and I trust his decisions.

Question: Ma'am yung nangyayari ngayon kay Cong. Cayetano, maaapektuhan kaya 'yung pagtakbo niya as Senator?

PSC: Anything you do now has an effect on your future. But if he carries himself well as he has carried himself as a person of integrity, then I think people will acknowledge that and recognize that.

Question: Ano po ang reaction n'yo sa proceedings kahapon na parang pinagtulungan s'ya ng mga kasamahan nya?

PSC: As you all probably know, I had my own issues to take care of in the Senate [yesterday] so hindi ko 'yan nasundan. But I trust my brother, 'nung pinasok niya 'to, alam niya 'yung ginagawa niya. He's always had my confidence in everything he does. Whatever the outcome [will be], I will stand by my brother.

Question: Do you think there's too much pressure being applied to him?

PSC: Definitely naman, I think the records will show no. That there is too much pressure put upon him. I think very clear naman 'yon. Any observer would have noticed that. As to the merits of the case, nandun din naman 'yun. So clear naman sa ating lahat kung ano talagang nangyari [sa hearings].

Like what I said, my brother can take care of himself. The Filipino people would have a clear vantage point in judging of how things happen in this country.

Question: Napanood n'yo po yung proceedings?

PSC: I never had the chance to watch TV at any point in time yesterday. So I just caught bits and pieces on radio and the late night report. I never had a chance because I also had work to do here.

Question: [DZBB interview] Ano ang masasabi n'yo sa kinakaharap ngayon ng inyong kapatid? My family stands by my brother. He is a big boy. He can take care of himself naman po. Alam naman natin na huhusgahan din sila ng taong-bayan, di ba? So kung ganun ang pakiramdam ng Ethics Committee, I respect it. But if our people feel otherwise, then it's for them to judge. Hindi ho ako. Nasa Senate ako, wala ho ako sa House so I leave it them, I leave it to our colleagues in the House at sa plenary. Alam naman nila kung ano ang dapat.

Question: Pareho po kayong abogado ni Rep. Alan. Pero ang sinasabi, hindi raw niya naiprisinta nang maayos ang kanyang ebidensya

PSC: As a lawyer, hindi ako pwedeng mag-comment dahil hindi ako ang lawyer niya. Hindi rin ako familiar sa mga detalye dahil alam niyo naman na may mga trabaho akong iba sa Senado. So all I can say is, I support my brother. Proud kami sa kanya. Pero beyond that, yung trabaho ko rin na kung saan din ako hinalal, yun din ang inaasikaso ko. Alam kong kaya niya ring asikasuhin ang sarili niyang trabaho.