President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will not interfere in any developments or changes within the Senate following the chamber’s sudden leadership shift on Monday, May 11, according to Malacañang.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro emphasized that all matters involving the Senate, including its leadership and proceedings, fall exclusively under its authority.
“Everything that happens in the Senate is within their power, it is within their authority to decide on all matters within the Senate,” Castro said during a press briefing.
“Hindi po panghihimasukan ng Pangulo kung anuman po ang magiging desisyon ng Senado,” she stressed.
The Senate recently saw a change in leadership after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as the new Senate President, replacing Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. Cayetano secured 13 votes during the Monday session.
The leadership shift comes at a politically sensitive time, following the second impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives on May 11.
Lawmakers in the House voted 255–26–9 to approve the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, far exceeding the constitutional requirement of at least one-third of all House members, or 106 votes, needed to transmit the complaint to the Senate for trial.
Castro reiterated that the responsibility now lies with the Senate.
“Trabaho po ito ng Senado.So, hindi po manghihimasok ang Pangulo. Nasa Senado na po iyan, nasa kamay na po ng Senado. At kung ano man po ang gagawin nila dyan, kung ito po ay papabor para sa taong bayan o papabor lang sa isang tao, bahala na po ang taong bayan na humusga para sa kanila,” she said.
She also clarified that Marcos will not involve himself in the expected impeachment trial of the Vice President.
Despite this, Castro expressed hope that the Senate will conduct the proceedings fairly.
“Sana kapag ito ay napunta na rin sa Senado, ay maging patas ang mga manghuhusga, ang mga senador natin, para ito naman ay sa taong bayan,” she said, noting that the House has already fulfilled its constitutional duty and that the process is now beyond the President’s control.
