Castro denies Cayetano’s claim Palace is backing ‘illegitimate Senate’
MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro on Thursday refuted Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s claim that Malacañang gave its support to an illegitimate Senate.
“The executive branch believes in the rule of law, in the law itself, and in the decisions of the Supreme Court,” Castro, speaking Filipino, said in a Viber message to reporters.
READ: Cayetano: I am still the legitimate, legal, moral Senate president
“It is clear that those who declared all elected Senate positions vacant are the 12 sitting senators, based on a recognized total number of 22, because Senators Jinggoy [Estrada] and Bato [Ronald dela Rosa] are beyond the Senate’s coercive reach,” she continued in Filipino.
The Palace official then recalled a similar incident in 2015 in the Senate under the leadership of Sen. Franklin Drilon, where Senators Alan and Pia Cayetano were present.
“When a similar situation happened in 2015 in the Senate under the leadership of Senator Drilon, 12 senators also declared that there was a quorum, and Senators Alan and Pia were present and did not question or oppose it. The executive branch believes in the vote of the 12 senators,” Castro said.
On Wednesday, 12 senators formed a quorum and, without objections, approved the vacancy of all Senate leadership positions less than four weeks after the last leadership change. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore, replacing Sen. Loren Legarda.
Cayetano, however, insisted that he is still the “legitimate, legal, and moral Senate president” following the Senate leadership reorganization.
Meanwhile, Castro also responded to Cayetano’s statement that “sometimes, you have to bend the Constitution to please Malacañang.”
It is worth noting that Cayetano was referring to the words of a “friend” and later expressed disagreement, saying there are a thousand other ways to please Malacañang.
“We are not violating any provision of the Constitution. It is clearly stated, right, in the Constitution, that the Senate shall elect by a majority vote of all its members,” Castro said in a brief media interview.
“Was a Senate president elected? None, right?” she asked.
Palace supports Gatchalian
On Wednesday, Castro also issued a statement welcoming the election of Gatchalian as Senate President pro tempore.
“What happened in the Senate this afternoon is in accordance with the law and the rule of law,” she said.
“The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro added.
READ: Palace backs latest Senate shakeup: It’s within the rule of law
She reaffirmed on Thursday’s briefing that only the leadership of Gatchalian is what Malacanang recognizes.
“The Palace recognizes the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” she explained. /jpv /atm
