Lacierda: Leave us out of Senate row

Amid the ongoing word war between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago regarding Enrile’s P1.6-million “Christmas gift” to his chosen senators, a Malacañang official appealed to the media to leave them out of the feud. “Hindi na kami magko-comment diyan. Nagsalita na si Senate President doon so hayaan na natin sila magpaliwanag dahil hindi naman ho kami kasama diyan,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a briefing Monday. Lacierda added that the conflict between the two senators was starting to become personal, and the Palace doesn’t wish to be involved in it. “I think it has become a personal strife between Senate President Enrile and Senator Santiago. We would rather not comment on their word war as we do not wish to be included in the conflict between the two personalities,” he said. When pushed why the Palace won’t comment on the disbursement of funds, Lacierda merely reiterated the Senate’s fiscal independence. “They’re fiscally independent so may sarili silang batayan kung paano mag-release po ng mga pondo. Wala po kaming karapatang mag-comment diyan dahil meron silang sariling rules and regulations,” Lacierda said. “They would have to explain the position. It’s not the President who will explain it. It’s the Senate President who has already explained his position there and let his explanation stand if it is accepted by the public,” he added. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News