Palace on talks Sotto might be ousted as Senate leader: ‘Not alarming’

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro —Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta | INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang believes that the reported attempt to change the leadership in the Senate is not alarming, as the upper chamber has the democratic freedom to choose its own leader.

This was according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro when asked on Tuesday whether or not the rumored change in the Senate presidency is a cause for concern.

READ: Sotto on ouster talk: ‘The Senate is stable’

“They have freedom of expression. They have democracy within the Senate, so it’s not really alarming,” she said.

Asked what would happen if there is indeed a change in leadership, Castro responded, “Whoever will lead the Senate again and form a new leadership, we can surely hope that they will work for the people and not for personal interests.”

READ: Alan Cayetano asks gov’t leaders anew: Are you willing to resign?

The Palace official also expressed support for Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s recent statement that the upper chamber remains “stable” under his leadership.

“According to Senate President Tito Sotto, what is happening in the Senate is stable, and they are only expressing their feelings, and it is their right to choose who should be their leader or the one who will lead them,” Castro said.

In a press conference on Monday, Sotto dismissed rumors circulating about an alleged attempt to unseat him, saying he did not expect any action to be taken in the plenary session before its scheduled adjournment on October 10.

Sotto added that he does not know where the alleged coup d’état against him is coming from. /apl