Sen. Pia Cayetano appeared visibly tired upon arriving at the Senate plenary hall on Thursday, June 4, ahead of what her bloc described as a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control scandal.
The senator, who has maintained that she remains the committee chair despite a June 3 reorganization naming Sen. Erwin Tulfo as the new head, was seen entering the hall after running up the stairs.
Her appearance contrasted her known active lifestyle, being a triathlete and fitness enthusiast.
The development came after newly installed Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing had been rescheduled to Monday, June 8, to give Tulfo time to review the committee’s work and evidence related to the flood control investigation.
Despite this, members of the Cayetano-led bloc, led by Pia’s brother, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, proceeded with the “hearing,” which was not livestreamed on the Senate’s official YouTube channel or social media platforms. There was also no Senate secretary and stenographers present to record the supposed “hearing.”
Gatchalian later referred to the activity as a “gathering” rather than a formal hearing.
RELATED: Sotto refutes ex-marine’s flood control kickback claim, cites death of staff and timeline mismatch
Meanwhile, Pia and other senators aligned with the Cayetano-led bloc, including Senators Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla and Rodante Marcoleta, attended the activity.
Cayetano drew attention online for her demeanor upon entering the plenary hall, where she appeared exhausted.
She was accompanied by individuals who identified themselves as former Marines and claimed to be “bagmen” for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in connection with the flood control scandal.
Prior to this, videos circulating online show Pia running up the fire exit stairs to reach the plenary hall.
Grabe ano nanaman nangyayare!!! Si Pia Cayetano naman tumatakbo sa hakdan 🤭🫣 pic.twitter.com/ST7w3HcoxV
— Mega Kapamilya (@MegaKapamilya) June 4, 2026
Pia had alleged that she and the individuals she described as former Marines, who served as resource persons in the “hearing,” were initially prevented from entering the Senate premises by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
However, Remulla denied the claim, saying he was about to leave the Senate building at the time and disputed assertions that he pushed anyone, explaining that a blocking force would require 100 people. No police personnel were seen accompanying the DILG chief.
Remulla said he was at the Senate to clarify with Gatchalian whether Brice Hernandez, a former engineer at the Department of Public Works and Highways, should still be included in the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. He added that he assumed a defensive stance to protect himself from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Pia’s appearance after the incident drew attention online, with some users pointing to her previous public participation in fitness events.
Posts circulating on social media juxtaposed images of her competing in a Hyrox event in Hong Kong on May 8.
Hyrox is a global fitness competition that combines running with functional workout stations, in which participants complete repeated circuits of 1-kilometer runs followed by exercise stations.
Last May 10, Pia participated in her first Hyrox event, saying she did so at age 60. In an Instagram post, she noted her placement in her age group and encouraged women and mothers to stay active and pursue their fitness goals.
“By the end of the day, I was ranked [number 3] in my age group. There’s more waves today, so the ranking may not stay, but it’s just nice to know that for a moment in time, I was [number 3] on the international stage,” she wrote on social media.
“To all the women and moms out there, don’t limit yourself. Keep exploring and keep conquering. Health and fitness [are] one of the biggest blessings. We honor God by taking care of our bodies,” Pia added.
View this post on Instagram
Pia also describes herself in her Instagram bio as a “triathlete,” an “ultra marathoner,” a “yin yoga teacher” and a “padel player.”
Her active lifestyle was later referenced by several social media users, who contrasted it with her appearance in the plenary hall.
“Pia Cayetano sa Senado na naghagdan lang vs. Pia na nag-hy-hyrox,” Pinoy Rap Radio captioned its post with laughing emojis.
“Bulls***, Senator Pia. You just had your Hyrox weeks ago. I bet your VO2max can withstand a little crowd surge. Harap-harapang panloloko, do not give us this bulls*it,” another Facebook account wrote.
“Pia sa Senado na naghagdan lang vs. Pia na nag-hy-hyrox. Grabe naman ang drama mo,” an X user wrote.
Pia sa Senado na naghagdan lang vs Pia na naghyhyrox
Grabe naman ang drama mo pic.twitter.com/FeD0Dnglnk
— Pakla Park (@PakSooyoung_) June 4, 2026
Actress Agot Isidro commented on a video of Pia with her arms wrapped around two former Marines upon entering the plenary hall, writing: “She was a freaking triathlete. Anong drama ito, Pia? Sablay ka na naman!”
Pia is a former student-athlete who competed in volleyball at the Palarong Pambansa.
She has also been described by a sports publication as an “accomplished volleyball player and multi-sport athlete.”
The senator is likewise known as a longtime sports advocate who supported Filipino athletes in various competitions.
