MANILA, Philippines — The opposition Akbayan party-list late on Wednesday welcomed the removal of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President.
Cayetano, however, claimed that he remained as the leader of the chamber.
“We consign him to the dustbin of history as one of the shortest-serving, yet worst, Senate Presidents in the country’s history,” the party-list said in a statement.
“Despite his extremely short tenure, Cayetano presided over a descent into complete chaos that further eroded the Senate’s remaining credibility that will take years to undo,” they added.
The group called on the new Senate leadership to “restore order, integrity, and public trust without delay”.
“This must begin with a full, transparent inquiry into the sequence of events that led to the recent turmoil, including the coddling of international fugitive and accused mass murderer Senator Bato dela Rosa and the May 13 Senate shooting incident, where his escape was enabled with the assistance of Senator Robin Padilla and others,” they said.
“We also urge the Senate to convene without delay the impeachment court and proceed with the trial of twice-impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, in line with its constitutional duty to uphold justice without fear or favor,” Akbayan added. “Lastly, we call on the public to remain vigilant against any renewed attempt to undermine, distort, or capture the Senate institution once more.”
Meanwhile, another opposition group, 1Sambayan, said on Thursday that they support Senator Sherwin Gatchalian taking his place as Senate President Pro Tempore.
“Jurisprudence holds that a Senator who cannot be compelled by the Senate to attend its sessions shall not be included in determining the quorum to conduct the day-to-day business of the Senate,” the group said.
“This applies to Senator Jinggoy Estrada who is under detention for a non-bailable offense based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan. Thus, there are only now 23 Senators from which a majority is derived, resulting in 12 Senators to constitute a quorum to conduct day-to-day business. Senator Bato dela Rosa, as a fugitive from justice, cannot be counted for quorum purposes to conduct day-to-day business of the Senate. He is subject to arrest at anytime for a non-bailable offense punishable with reclusion perpetua,” they added.
The group said the Senate remains capable of “performing its constitutional duties through the collective will of its members.”
“1SAMBAYAN, therefore, calls on all senators, regardless of political affiliation, to respect democratic processes in accordance with the Constitution. The Filipino people deserve a Senate that is guided by the rule of law, institutional stability, and fidelity to the Constitution,” the opposition group said.
Cayetano was seen at the Senate on Thursday, with Sen. Robinhood Padilla while the Senate President’s sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano was presiding over a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, even if she was already replaced by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
