Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said on Monday that maintaining the organization and stability of the Senate remains among his top priorities amid discussions of a possible leadership change in the chamber.

Speaking during a press conference on 18 May, Cayetano said he intends to focus first on two priorities — proceeding with the Articles of Impeachment and ensuring order within the Senate — before addressing other matters.

He acknowledged that there have been “enticements” and “threats” related to the issue of Senate leadership, although he stressed that “it’s not all wheeling and dealing.”

Cayetano also noted that attempts to remove him from leadership positions have followed him throughout his political career.

“If there would be a change (in leadership), it would be smart to tell in the last minute, and I won’t take it against them,” he said.

He added that serving both the Senate and the Filipino people has always been a privilege regardless of how long he remains in the position.

According to Cayetano, the significance of leadership lies not in its duration but in the impact it creates, although he remarked that he could accomplish more in eight months than in eight days.

“If God put me here, in an eight-day mission, I’ll accept it. But if the mission is to start the impeachment, I’ll also accept that,” he said.