Palace only recognizes Win Gatchalian-led Senate bloc, says Claire Castro

Malacañang is only recognizing the Senate bloc led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Sunday, following the weeks-long altercations in the Senate.

“Wala kikilalanin ang Palasyo, walang kikilalanin ang Ehekutibo kundi ang liderato lamang po ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So kung ano po pakikipag-ugnayan, kung hinihingi po sila ng special session, makipag-ugnayan lang po sila sa Pangulo dahil kinikilala po sila,” Castro told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(The Palace, the Executive Department will recognize no one but the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So whatever coordination is needed, or if a special session is being requested, they should coordinate directly with the President because that leadership is the one being recognized.)

She pointed out that Gatchalian’s leadership of the Senate is also recognized by the House of Representatives and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

“Huwag na niya pong ipilit kasi wala nang kumikilala sa kanyang liderato (He should stop insisting since no one acknowledges his leadership),” Castro said, referring to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Castro made the statement after Gatchalian was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore and made Acting Senate President by 12 senators on June 3.

This followed the Cayetano-led bloc’s skipping of sessions on Monday and Tuesday, as he said the Senate’s independence was being challenged.

Castro pointed out the country now needs a “true leader and public servant” who will serve the Filipinos’ interests.

“Maraming nagsasabi na huwag namang kapit-tuko sa puwesto. Ngayon po, ang kailangan ng bayan ay ang totoong leader, totoong public servant. Hindi sisilbihan ang sarili, hindi sisilbihan ang interes ng mga kaalyado. So siguro ngayon ang tamang panahon na magpakabayanin siya,” Castro said.

(Many are saying that he should not cling to his position. Right now, what the country needs is a true leader and a true public servant. Someone who does not serve himself or the interests of allies. Maybe this is the right time for him to serve the people.)

In response to Cayetano’s claim that the Gatchalian-led bloc visited Malacañang, Castro said there is yet no information and urged the public to discern claims being made online.

She also said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respects the separation of powers between branches of the government.

“Hindi totoo na nakikialam ang Pangulo sa Senado dahil naniniwala ang Pangulo at nire-respeto po yung separation of powers. Sabi nga po natin kung nagdidikta ang Pangulo, walang gulo sa Senado,” Castro said.

(It is not true that the President is interfering in the Senate, as he respects the separation of powers. As we have said, if the President were dictating, there would be no conflict in the Senate.)

Cayetano said the move, which saw 12 senators elect Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and then as acting Senate President, was “coordinated.”

“Senator Jinggoy Estrada told the Senate media ‘di ba, at the right time, susunod na kabanata, ilalabas sa inyo ‘yung ebidensya ng mga tumatawag sa kanya,” Cayetano said in a press conference after a hearing on the flood control controversy.

“At least tatlo o baka apat silang tinawagan. Itong 11 nagme-meeting 'to with Malacañang. Itong kahapon na nangyari, coordinated ‘yan,” he added.

(Senator Jinggoy told the Senate media, right? At the right time, in the next chapter, the evidence of those calling him will be released to you. At least three or maybe four of them were called. These 11 are meeting with Malacañang. What happened yesterday was coordinated.)

To recall, Cayetano claimed the Senate's independence was being challenged. He also urged members of the minority bloc to join the majority in calling for the Senate to “go quiet” following Estrada’s arrest for plunder charges.

Estrada was apprehended within Senate premises after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant of arrest against him for plunder charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal. —RF, GMA News