Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rebuked Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s claim that the Palace is using Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in the leadership dispute, accusing the former Senate leader of portraying himself as a victim despite being at the center of the crisis that has paralyzed the upper chamber.
Cayetano, in a Facebook livestream over the weekend, advised Gatchalian not to allow himself to be influenced by Malacañang or fellow senators whom he said may be pursuing their own interests in the leadership battle.
“Kaya nga sabi ko, mag-ingat si Senator Win. Kasi maganda naman future niya. Huwag ka magpagamit sa Malacañang at dun sa mga kasamahan mo,” Cayetano said.
[Translation: That’s why I told Senator Win to be careful. He has a bright future ahead of him. Don’t allow yourself to be used by Malacañang and by your colleagues.]
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected the suggestion that Malacañang was orchestrating developments in the Senate and instead blamed Cayetano for the turmoil that has gripped the institution.
“Ang hiling lang po natin, sana ay huwag kumilos ang nasabing opisyal na parang siya pa ang biktima,” Castro said.
[Translation: Our only request is that the official concerned should stop acting as if he is the victim.]
Castro argued that the real victims of the Senate standoff were the Filipino people, whose confidence in the institution has been shaken by the continuing power struggle.
“Marami pong nabiktima ang kaguluhan sa Senado. Unang-una pong nabiktima dito ay ang taumbayan na naniniwala sa integridad ng Senado,” she said.
[Translation: Many have become victims of the chaos in the Senate. First among them are the Filipino people who believe in the integrity of the Senate.]
The Palace official noted that the leadership dispute erupted while Cayetano was Senate president.
“Ang kaguluhan pong ito ay naganap sa pamumuno ni dating Senate President Alan Cayetano.”
[Translation: This turmoil happened under the leadership of former Senate President Alan Cayetano.]
Castro rejected allegations that Malacañang had intervened in Senate affairs and instead accused Cayetano of authorizing controversial decisions that contributed to the crisis.
“Ang lahat ng kaguluhan nito ay hindi po dahil sa pakikialam ng Malacañang,” she said. [Translation: None of this turmoil was caused by interference from Malacañang.]
The Palace has repeatedly recognized Gatchalian as the legitimate Senate leader and has rejected calls to treat the dispute as an unresolved question of authority.
“Ang sinasabi ay mag-ingat sa Malacañang – mas mag-ingat po ang taumbayan sa mga taong nagkukunwari at nagpapanggap na banal,” she said.
[Translation: They say people should be wary of Malacañang — but the public should be more wary of people who pretend to be righteous.]
When pressed on whether the statement was directed at Cayetano who has publicly expressed his religious beliefs, Castro declined to identify anyone by name.
“Wala po tayong pinapatamaan – sa lahat po ito. Kung tatamaan po siya, wala na po tayong magagawa roon.”
[Translation: We are not targeting anyone in particular. If he feels affected by it, there is nothing we can’t do anything about that.]
