Malacañang on Monday clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is prepared to collaborate with any Senate leadership, provided the upper chamber’s legislative actions serve the best interest of the Filipino people.
The statement, issued by Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, comes in the wake of claims made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who alleged that newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s takeover was the only leadership change executed without the explicit blessing of the executive branch.
During a Palace press briefing, Castro dismissed the notion that the chief executive favors specific personalities in the legislature.
“Sa Pangulo po, kung sinuman po ang leader po diyan, basta po ang gagawing trabaho ay para sa bayan at sa taumbayan, hindi po mag-aatubili ang Pangulo na makipag-ugnayan sa kanila,” (For the President, whoever the leader there is, as long as the work done is for the nation and the people, the President will not hesitate to coordinate with them,) Castro said.
The Palace official firmly rejected allegations that the administration interferes with the internal dynamics of the co-equal branch of government.
“Ang lahat po ng nangyayari sa Senado ay kanila po iyang pagdedesisyon, so wala pong kinalaman ang Pangulo sa kanilang mga pag-change ng leadership,” (Everything that happens in the Senate is their own decision, so the President has nothing to do with their changes in leadership,) she added.
When pressed on whether President Marcos still maintains full confidence in Cayetano’s leadership following the shakeup, Castro admitted that she had yet to discuss the matter with the Chief Executive.
“Hindi ko pa po natanong ang Pangulo,” (I have not yet asked the President,) she noted.
The internal friction within the Senate has also cast a shadow of uncertainty over the legislative timeline, particularly for the administration’s priority bills. With Congress heading toward its June recess, questions have been raised about whether the 21 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) will be approved on time.
Castro emphasized that while the President remains steadfast in pushing for citizen-centric legislation, the ultimate output now hinges on the fractured chamber.
“Sa Pangulo po ay wala po tayong issue. Wala po tayong issue dahil kung anong nais ng Pangulo para sa taumbayan iyan po ang nais niyang mangyari,” (With the President, we have no issue. We have no issue because whatever the President wants for the people, that is what he wants to happen,) she explained.
“Pero hindi po natin masasagot kung hanggang saan ang kakayahan ng Senado sa ngayon,” (But we cannot answer for the capability of the Senate as of now,) Castro added.
When reporters asked if Malacañang views the Senate as the primary source of the current political friction, Castro pointed the finger back at the lawmakers.
“Sila naman po iyong mayroong issue sa ngayon,” (They are the ones who have an issue right now,) she said.
“Hindi po sa Pangulo ang may problema or may issue,” (The problem or the issue is not with the President,) Castro concluded.