Pia Cayetano said she has already moved on from her emotional breakdown in the Senate that went viral earlier this week, as she joined a social media trend asking the public “kumusta ka?”
In a Facebook Live session, Cayetano directly addressed the public while referencing the trending phrase.
“Kumusta na po kayong lahat? Balita ko trending na raw po ang ‘kumusta ka?’ Kaya ako magtatanong sa bawat isa sa inyo, kumusta ka?” she said.
Her remarks came days after she broke down during a Senate session on May 20 while responding to comments made by Senator Risa Hontiveros about the chamber’s perceived “return to normalcy” following a shooting incident inside the Senate.
The episode quickly spread online, drawing public attention and reactions from fellow lawmakers.
Senator Erwin Tulfo earlier denied claims that Cayetano was not checked on by colleagues, saying she was contacted through their Senate group chat. Senators Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Sherwin Gatchalian also reportedly reached out to her.
In her livestream, Cayetano expressed appreciation to senators who approached her after the incident and said there was no reason to hold on to the moment.
“Maraming lumapit sa akin… and I really appreciate you guys who approached me… wala na sa ‘kin ‘yon,” she said.
“You’ve seen me expressing my feelings as somebody who is scared, who was… masama ang loob. I felt bad because I am human. But what’s important for me is I was able to move on,” she added.
Senators from the majority bloc, including Senators Camille Villar, Mark Villar, and Loren Legarda, were seen approaching her after she delivered her earlier speech.
Cayetano also used the livestream to reflect on emotional expression and social connection, saying people should openly communicate how they feel and not dwell on negative emotions.
The emotional episode followed an alleged shooting incident involving the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the National Bureau of Investigation inside the Senate compound on May 13, which has fueled tensions in the upper chamber in recent days.
