Malacañang on Tuesday, June 2, rejected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s assertion that recent developments involving the Senate reflect a struggle for the chamber’s independence, following his call for the minority bloc to defend the institution amid political tensions.
Cayetano made the statement on Monday after the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing plunder charges, urging members of the Senate minority to stand for the Senate’s autonomy as a co-equal branch of government.
“To my colleagues in the Minority: The Senate is a co-equal branch of government. It is not a prize to be claimed by anyone. Events of the past few days may have blurred this distinction, but what happened with one of our colleagues today brings it sharply back into focus,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano then challenged the minority bloc, saying: “So I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: will you stand for the Senate’s independence?”
In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro questioned what Cayetano meant by “Senate independence” and denied allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had interfered in Senate affairs.
“Senate independence? Independence from what? Ano ba ang pinapalagan ni Sen. Alan Cayetano? Saan ba nakialam ang Pangulo?” Castro said.
Castro also defended the serving of a warrant of arrest against Estrada, saying it was lawful and unrelated to issues concerning Senate independence.
“Tama lamang na i-serve ang valid warrant of arrest. Ang ibig niya bang sabihin, kapag nagsisilbi ng valid warrant of arrest sa Senado sa mga ganitong klaseng crimes ay dapat hindi isilbi? lyon ang tanong,” she said.
The Palace official emphasized the need for cooperation among the branches of government to ensure the fair implementation of the law.
“Paano magkakaroon ng pagtutulungan, kooperasyon, ang bawat sangay ng gobyerno kung mayroong magmamataas, mayroong hindi tutupad sa batas at mayroong maghahari-harian? Hindi puwedeng ganoon. Lahat dapat patas,” Castro said.
