MANILA, June 5 -- Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Friday invoked the 1949 Avelino v. Cuenco case as he criticized former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's handling of the current leadership dispute in the chamber.

In a post on X, Lacson contrasted Cayetano's actions with those of former Senate President Jose Avelino, who brought his leadership dispute with Mariano Cuenco before the Supreme Court.

"The only difference being - Avelino brought his case to the Supreme Court. Cayetano does not have Avelino's decency and respect for the same rule of law," Lacson said.

The Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco stemmed from the Senate controversy on Feb. 18, 1949, when Avelino and his allies allegedly tried to prevent Senator Lorenz...