Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected a proposal from Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for a temporary arrangement with Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian aimed at keeping Senate operations running in the middle of a leadership dispute.
Cayetano reached out to officials aligned with Gatchalian to explore possible measures that would prevent disruptions in Senate transactions and the impeachment proceedings while rival factions contest control of the chamber.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Executive branch recognizes only Gatchalian as the Senate leader.
“Muli ang kinikilala ng ehekutibo ay si Senator Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said.
[Translation: Once again, the Executive recognizes Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.]
“Walang maidudulot sa ngayon ng ganitong klaseng arrangement,” she added.
[Translation: This kind of arrangement will not bring any benefit at this time.]
Castro said the proposal could lead to a repeat of the House leadership controversy in 2020 involving a term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and then-Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
“Baka mangyari na naman ang nangyari dati sa House of Representatives, kung saan mayroon na silang term-sharing agreement na hindi tinupad agad ni Senator Alan Cayetano,” she said.
[Translation: What happened before in the House of Representatives might happen again, when there was a term-sharing agreement that Senator Alan Cayetano did not immediately honor.]
The dispute stemmed from the June 3 Senate session that installed Gatchalian as president pro tempore and concurrent acting Senate president. While Gatchalian’s camp considers the issue settled, Cayetano and his allies continue to question the validity of the proceedings.
