A proposed power-sharing arrangement in the Senate is not possible because only one Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President was elected during the June 3 session.
Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said Tuesday the June 3 proceedings were clear on who was elected and designated to lead the chamber.
“Doon sa June 3 session, klaro kung sino ang hinalal na Senate President Pro Tempore. At klaro rin kung sino ang dinesignate na Acting Senate President. So klaro naman doon kung sino ang mga dinesignate at hinalal. At tayo po ‘yun, isa lang (In the June 3 session, it was clear who was elected Senate President Pro Tempore. It was also clear who was designated Acting Senate President. It was clear who were designated and elected. And that is us, only one),” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
The statement came after Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he proposed that he and Gatchalian both sign Senate documents, even without designations, to avoid disrupting Senate operations and the salaries of employees while the leadership dispute remains unresolved.
“Hindi ho posible ‘yung power sharing dahil isang tao lang po ang hinalal (Power-sharing is not possible because only one person was elected),” he said.
Gatchalian said his bloc has not received any directive or request from the Supreme Court requiring it to comment on or submit documents related to the Senate leadership dispute.
He said his group has no initiative to bring the issue before the high court.
The Senate leadership row comes as the chamber faces pending work, including possible urgent legislation, the impeachment process and unresolved matters before the Commission on Appointments.
Gatchalian said discussions are continuing on whether a special session would be needed, particularly to act on pending matters such as the promotions of five generals.
He said the promotions are important not only for the officers’ ranks and retirement benefits but also because some of them handle units connected to external defense.
“’Yan ay isang bagay na ilalagay po natin sa special session. ‘Yan ang isang bagay na pinag-aaralan namin kung paano po ilalagay sa special session (That is one matter we will place in the special session. That is one matter we are studying on how to include in the special session),” he said.
On the impeachment proceedings, Gatchalian said the Senate would follow the timeline earlier discussed in caucus and that preparations are continuing.
He said the rules are clear that the Senate President presides over the impeachment trial, and in the absence of a Senate President, the Acting Senate President assumes that role.
“By operation of our rules, tatayong presiding officer ay yung Acting Senate President (By operation of our rules, the presiding officer will be the Acting Senate President),” Gatchalian said. (PNA)
