Marcos to senators: Get back to work

Palace, House welcome Win as acting Senate chief

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos called on senators yesterday to “get back to work” as the impasse between the Senate majority and minority blocs had already stalled the passage of important measures.

As the other branches of government continue to work, the public is witnessing a Senate leadership in disarray, the President said.

Marcos made the remarks following the two-day absence of the Senate majority bloc, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who called for a boycott of the session to dramatize his call for independence of the chamber that he said was violated with the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for plunder.

“Get back to work. Get back to work. Because it’s important… Ang dami nating kailangang gawin (We have so much to do),” the President said in a chance interview when asked for a message to senators after attending a meet and greet event with presidential scholars in Malate, Manila.

His call came hours before the new leadership coup that catapulted Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to the position of president pro-tempore, and effectively Senate president, as Cayetano remained absent.

The President – along with the House of Representatives – would later issue statements welcoming the leadership change.

The Senate session was suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday after the majority bloc – comprising mostly critics of Marcos – skipped the plenary.

Congress is set to adjourn sine die tomorrow. Yesterday was its last session day.

Marcos stressed there is a need to act on several bills to support the government’s response to the energy emergency identified during a meeting of the UPLIFT committee.

Marcos chairs the UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) committee, created through Executive Order 110. It serves as the government’s whole-of-government response to the national energy emergency.

“We may have to amend some laws. This is necessary so that we can provide assistance to the people because of the oil crisis,” he said in Filipino.

There has to be “a very good reason” for cancelling the session, Marcos pointed out.

He said there are rules governing session cancellations, noting that the Senate must inform the other chamber at least three days before canceling a session.

“I don’t think accompanying a senator to where he is going is good enough reason to cancel a session,” the Chief Executive said in Filipino, apparently referring to Cayetano, and other members of the Senate majority who accompanied Estrada during his arrest.

“Have the rules changed? Have our procedures changed? It is a rule that is contained in the Constitution.” Marcos added.

Malacañang and the House, meanwhile, welcomed the Senate leadership change  – the second in less than a month – with Palace officials and lawmakers calling it a triumph of the rule of law and a new beginning for a battered institution.

“What happened in the Senate this afternoon was in line with the law and rule of law,” Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a briefing minutes after the leadership revamp in the chamber.

“The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” she added.

“On the part of the President, on the part of the executive, there will be no issue. Whoever is the leader of Congress, the executive will coordinate, cooperate to pass the priority bills for the people,” the Palace press officer said.

“The President will not think of himself. He will not think of his own interests,” she added.

Speaker Faustino Dy III, for his part, led House officials in commending their counterparts in the Senate for resolving the leadership impasse.

“On behalf of the House, we extend our warmest congratulations to the acting Senate President, Sherwin Gatchalian, on your assumption of this important responsibility,” Dy said.

“At a time when our nation looks to its institutions for stability and leadership, a fully functioning Senate is essential to advancing legislation, exercising oversight and upholding democratic governance,” he said.

“We are confident that under your stewardship, the Senate will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence and dedication to the public interest,” he added.

Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro party-list) said the development has removed a possible stumbling block to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Ridon is a member of the 11-man prosecution team in the impeachment trial, tentatively set to begin on July 6. –  Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Janvic Mateo