By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Executive department will not interfere with the Senate’s issues, as the legislature is a co-equal branch of government, Malacañang reiterated Wednesday.
In a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked for comment regarding a recent move by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to amend the Senate’s rules to allow lawmakers to participate remotely in sessions.
“Lumalabas po talaga na maayos naman ang mga rules at nais lamang nila itong baguhin,” Castro said. “Dati naman ay napayagan ang online voting, mga zoom meeting, dahil meron tayong kalamidad na hinaharap noon. Sa pagkakataong ito, ay wala naman tayong masasabi na anumang ‘force majeure,’ calamity na magja-justify ng mga online voting.”
Article 1174 of the Civil Code of the Philippines describes force majeure as events “which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable.”
Under Senate Rules Section XIV 41(b), senators may convene and hold the session through “teleconference, video conference, or other reliable forms of remote or electronic means” if there is “force majeure or the occurrence of a national emergency” that prevents the Senate from convening physically.
Castro, likewise, emphasized that the matter remains solely for the Senate and not for the President to decide.
“Noon pa natin sinasabi na ang mga nagaganap sa Senado ay ang kanilang pagdedesisyon at hindi naman ito panghihimasukan ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito,” she said.
However, Castro said the recent Senate clash would allow Filipinos to assess whether senators are acting in the interest of the public or for personal gains.
“Ito ang magandang pagkakataon para malaman nating lahat kung ang mga liderato ba at mga leaders na ito ay nagtatrabaho para sa bayan o para sa pansarili o pang-iilan lamang. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ni Heneral Luna: Bayan o sarili, mamili ka,” the Palace official remarked.
On Tuesday, minority senators walked out of the Plenary session, opposing Marcoleta’s proposed amendment to the Senate rules.
This, as Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a member of the majority bloc, went back into hiding after the Department of Justice ordered law enforcement authorities to “effect” an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against him for his alleged involvement in the crimes against humanity charges of former President Rodrigo Duterte. (with report from Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
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