MANILA, Philippines — Manuel Parlade has been designated as officer-in-charge of the Office of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms following the suspension of retired Police major general Mao Aplasca.
Parlade will temporarily lead the Senate security force until Aplasca’s six-month suspension is lifted.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered Aplasca suspended for six months over his handling of the shooting incident at the Senate on May 13.
He said the preventive suspension aims to prevent him from influencing the investigation of the shooting incident.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said his legal team was eyeing three legal options to address the Ombudsman's suspension order on Aplasca.
"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.
