Palace denies hand in alleged oust-Enrile move

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

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, however, wouldn’t categorically express administration  support for Enrile beyond acknowledging President Benigno Aquino’s “good working relationship” with the Senate president.

“President Aquino has a good working relationship with Senator Enrile,” Valte said in an interview over state-run radio station dzRB.

Asked if Malacañang would express its support for Enrile’s continued leadership, Valte said, “Usually questions on changes in leadership are 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.