Cayetano losing bid to keep Senate clout

The Manila Times

Cayetano losing bid to keep Senate clout

IN yet another sign that he has lost power, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer labeled “Senate President” in the chamber’s website. Cayetano, who insisted he is still the legitimate Senate president following the June 3 Senate leadership reorganization, is now labeled “Senator” on the website. In contrast, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who replaced Cayetano as the Senate’s top leader, has the label of “Senate President Pro Tempore” under his name. Sen. Loren Legarda, who occupied that post under the Cayetano bloc, is now also listed merely as “Senator.” In recognition of Gatchalian’s leadership, the House of Representatives has invited Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. to join its preparation for the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 27. The House prosecution panel also submitted to Bantug its reply or reaction to the position of the defense panel of Vice President Sara Duterte for the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the articles of impeachment against her. Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan emerged as one of the names being discussed to preside over Duterte’s impeachment trial as the Senate prepares for proceedings scheduled to resume on July 6. Cayetano, a Duterte ally, would have presided over the trial had he not boycotted three consecutive plenary sessions then lost control of the Senate on June 3. New presiding judge Gatchalian on Wednesday confirmed ongoing discussions on the possibility of designating a lawyer-senator to oversee the trial, an arrangement earlier suggested by former Senate president Vicente Sotto III. Asked whether Pangilinan was among those being considered, Gatchalian replied in Filipino: “You’re correct. Senator Sotto said that, and that is currently being discussed.” The development came as Gatchalian said preparations for the impeachment proceedings are moving forward, including the issuance of pretrial notices to both the prosecution and defense panels. “I signed the notice for pretrial yesterday. We already sent that to both the defense and prosecution teams,” he said. Gatchalian, however, said no final decision has been made on who will ultimately preside over the impeachment court, adding that the matter remains under discussion among senators as they prepare for the start of the trial next month. Even split Gatchalian is also acting Senate president since under the Constitution, he needs 13 votes to be elected to that position. The new majority has 12 members only. Cayetano’s bloc has 12 members, too, but two of his allies cannot actively participate in Senate proceedings on the floor. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa had gone into hiding after the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest for crimes against humanity in relation to his involvement in the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has been arrested for plunder and is not allowed to post bail. On Tuesday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Senate employees should no longer have any doubt as to whom they should follow, since the Gatchalian-led majority has been duly recognized by Malacañang, the House of Representatives, Civil Service Commission and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. “It is clear that what Cayetano is doing, will all due respect, is meant to sow confusion,” he said in Filipino. Lacson also noted that Gatchalian has been meeting with department heads and committee secretaries, and reminding them to follow only lawful and official orders, with assurances that the Senate leadership will protect them. Gatchalian signs the checks Also on Wednesday, Gatchalian said the transfer of signatures with the Land Bank of the Philippines was completed, allowing him to sign checks and automatic debit arrangements to release employee benefits and fund Senate offices. He rejected Cayetano’s reported offer to share signing responsibilities while maintaining his claim to the Senate presidency, saying “there’s only one Senate president pro tempore” and only one “designated acting Senate President.” He said since he occupies those posts, he would perform his duties to ensure that Senate operations are not disrupted. On Tuesday, Pangilinan urged Cayetano to accept defeat and support Gatchalian so that the Senate could go back to work and attend to the needs of the people. The new majority bloc also elected Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate majority leader and chairman of the Committee on Rules, Bantug as Senate secretary and retired police general Alfredo Corpuz as sergeant-at-arms. WITH PNA

Go to News Site

Google Play

App Store