SENATOR Alan Peter S. Cayetano on Monday said he offered Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin T. Gatchalian a setup that will settle confusion on who holds the authority within the chamber as he insists he is the “legitimate” Senate president.
According to Mr. Cayetano, the proposal allowing both to sign administrative documents was also made to avoid the filing of usurpation complaints of both the Cayetano and Gatchalian-led blocs.
“As far as I’m concerned, Senator Sherwin is usurping authority because he’s not really the acting (Senate) president,” he said at a press briefing. “Apparently, because they refused, we have two Senates right now. You have the Senate of the Philippines, and you have the Senate of Malacañang.”
Reporters have reached out to Mr. Gatchalian for confirmation of his opposition to Mr. Cayetano’s proposal but have yet to receive a response.
Mr. Cayetano also maintained his earlier stance that the election of the Senate president, Senate president pro tempore, secretary of the Senate, and Senate sergeant-at-arms must incur at least 13 votes.
The chamber on June 3 declared a quorum of 12 based on the 22 available senators following the arrest of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada, Jr. for plunder and Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa’s escape amid the arrest warrant linked to his role in former president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
The chamber moved to declare all positions vacant and elected officials for the Senate president pro tempore, Senate secretary, and sergeant-at-arms and filled several committee chairships.
The Senate president role has been left vacant.
The Palace on Monday also opposed Mr. Cayetano’s proposal, reiterating that the Executive only recognizes Mr. Gatchalian’s leadership.
“Again, the Executive only recognizes Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, this kind of arrangement will bring nothing at the moment,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro said in Filipino at a briefing. “What happened previously in the House of Representatives might happen again, where there was a term-sharing agreement that Senator Alan Cayetano did not honor immediately.” — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
