MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said he is open to a dialogue with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s bloc to settle the leadership impasse, which has divided the upper chamber and stalled legislative work last week ahead of an adjournment of almost two months.
The House of Representatives also urged the Senate to settle its dispute so it can focus on important duties, including the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte set to begin next month.
“I’ve already said that I’m open [to talking] with all senators. As I’ve said, be it majority-minority, I will talk to everyone. In fact, from the minority, we have a lot of personal friends there. I’ve known them for a long time,” he said in an interview with radio DZBB.
READ: House recognizes Gatchalian leadership in Senate – Ortega
“That’s why I’m open. And I know, even Senator Alan also wants good things for our country,” Gatchalian added.
‘Let’s have a meeting’
Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore on June 3, after the chamber reached a quorum of 12 senators and declared all positions vacant. Under Senate rules, the pro tempore automatically acts as the Senate president when the seat is empty.
The Senate was on the brink of a crisis after sessions were stalled for two consecutive days because the Cayetano-led bloc did not show up. Article VI, Section 16(5) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that neither chamber of Congress may adjourn for more than three days while it is in session without the other’s consent.
Both Malacañang and the House have earlier recognized the new Senate majority and Gatchalian’s leadership as acting Senate president.
But Cayetano, in a Facebook livestream on Saturday, offered a “solution” and invited Gatchalian to a meeting to settle who between them is the “true Senate president.”
“I’ll offer you a solution, Senator Win. Let’s have a meeting. It is difficult to find a solution regarding who the true Senate President is because the three books I hold state that the legitimate Senate president is the one elected by the 13 [senators],” Cayetano said, referring to the Philippine Constitution, the Rules of the Senate, and the Bible.
The leadership tussle in the upper chamber is between the new 12-member majority led by Gatchalian and the 10-member minority led by Cayetano.
No Senate president has been elected as the Constitution requires a “majority vote” of all its members to install a senator to the post.
Marcos ‘should intervene’
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should already intervene in the leadership issue.
“The president should intervene, and there is nothing wrong with that because this is a branch of the government that should function. And it is the president’s duty to ensure that the entire government moves,” Drilon also told dzBB.
“It is not right for him not to intervene because of the separation of powers. That is wrong. In these kinds of conflicts, the president intervenes; Cayetano and Gatchalian know that. The problem here is [that] if no one follows the one whom the president sided with. Right now, Malacañang recognizes Win. Cayetano should accept it and bring it to the Supreme Court,” he added.
Gatchalian, whose group earlier called on Cayetano to resign, said it was his “prayer” for senators to return to “work and make bills that are meaningful for all of us and the people.”
Asked how the meeting between them can proceed, Gatchalian said they would probably settle it between them. “Maybe we’ll just talk about how to make it happen… anyway, we know each other, and we’ve known each other for a long time, so we’ll just find a way,” he said.
In his video address, Cayetano warned Gatchalian not to allow himself to be used by Malacañang and the other members of his bloc.
In response, Gatchalian said: “No one is allowing himself to be used by anybody. In fact, my colleagues in the majority, we are engaged in consensus-building; we talk to each other. They give advice; I ask for advice. There is no monopoly on intelligence and talent. It is important to help each other. And that is what is good about the majority, that we help each other.”
Sen. Erwin Tulfo echoed his statement: “Because of recent clashes, the session ended without advancing crucial legislation. Because of the seemingly endless arguments on politics, our mandate was paralyzed. Therefore, I call upon my fellow senators: let us end this division. Let us just get back to work.”
‘Anxiety’ among Senate staff
Meanwhile, Senate rank-and-file employees, or the Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (Senado), have also issued a statement over the leadership dispute, after Cayetano warned Senate staff of punishment if they do not allow resource persons during his bloc’s scheduled hearings.
“While leadership changes and political contests are part of the democratic processes of government, rank-and-file employees should not bear the consequences of circumstances beyond their control, nor should they become collateral casualties of political struggles in which they have no participation,” the employees said in a statement.
They called on the senators, officials and stakeholders “to respect the professionalism and dignity of Senate employees” and not subject them to “retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or adverse consequences for actions undertaken in good faith and pursuant to official duties.”
As his bloc went ahead last week with a hearing by the Senate blue ribbon committee, Cayetano said “I would like to remind even our own employees that if you interrupt or disturb our hearing, it is a criminal offense, and not allowing our resource person in will be included in the punishment.”
But he apologized later, saying he was leaving it to the staff members’ “conscience” whether to follow him or Gatchalian.
The Senate employees, in their statement, lamented that those who assisted in Thursday’s hearing have become the subject of criticism, disparaging remarks, and possible investigation.
They said the situation at the Senate since May 11, the day Cayetano took over the Senate presidency and replaced Sen. Vicente Sotto III, as well as the succeeding events, including the shooting incident inside the premises, have caused them “heightened anxiety and apprehension.”
They added that the leadership dispute has “generated confusion regarding administrative directives, work arrangements, and reporting protocols.”
“Many employees have found themselves in the difficult position of determining which directives to follow in the absence of clear and uniform guidance from the institution,” they added. —With reports from Kenneth Christiane Basilio and Keith Clores /atm
