Palace denies hand in Ennrile ouster move at Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang on Saturday denied any role in moves to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile from the chamber’s leadership in supposedly connection with the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, however, wouldn’t categorically express the administration’s support for Enrile despite an acknowledgment by President Benigno Aquino III’s “good working relationship” with the Senate President.

“President Aquino has a good working relationship with Senator Enrile,” Valte said in a radio interview.

Asked if Malacanang would express its support for Enrile’s continued leadership, Valte said, “Usually questions on changes in leadership is left to the chamber.”

“That’s their call. That’s up to the internal working mechanisms of the Senate,” she added.

Valte said reading the newspaper reports on the ouster moves against Enrile was the first time she got wind of the alleged plot.

“We don’t have anything to do with this. This is the first time we heard about this,” Valte said.