MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said his legal team was looking at three legal options to address the suspension order of the Ombudsman imposed on Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered Aplasca suspended for six months over his handling of the shooting incident at the Senate on May 13.
"There are three options. There is a legal memo[randum] prepared for me to discuss with the legal tieam," Cayetano said when asked about Aplasca's status.
He cited some legal opinions that there is separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
"And then, there are certain officials who can be suspended or not [by the Ombudsman]," Cayetano said in Filipino and English during a press briefing.
In a chance interview, Aplasca said he was thankful that no one was hurt during the "violent" incident.
"Thank you also to the media. I hope the issues would be clarified. Let us not act as the obstacle in allowing the people learn what really happened," Aplasca said in Filipino.
