Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senators see no need for the leadership to mediate between colleagues’ Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile, who are expected to face each other this Wednesday at the Senate.
Santiago will deliver a privilege speech on the floor when the upper chamber resumes its session this afternoon to answer Enrile’s attack against her last week. Enrile said he would attend the session to listen to Santiago.
Asked if there was a need for mediation, Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said: “(There is) no need for anyone to mediate. I don’t think it will prolong.
“It’s their individual lookout,” Recto said in a text message when asked how this mudslinging would affect the image of the chamber.
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who belongs with Enrile’s opposition bloc in the Senate, issued a similar statement.
“Malalaki na sila,” Sotto said in a separate text message. “There were worse exchanges in the past. (We) will get over it.”
Despite the mudslinging, neophyte Senator Grace Poe expressed confidence that the chamber would still be able to perform its work.
“I am hopeful that whatever personal issues there may be between them, the Senate would continue to work on all current tasks at hand as an institution,” Poe said.