By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Tuesday urged senators to first resolve the ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate, saying any special session would be futile if lawmakers remain divided.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said discussions on a possible special session are still being finalized but stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants the Senate to put its internal issues in order before moving forward.
“Ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay mauna ang Senado na magkasundo dahil kahit sabihin natin na mayroong hiling ang Pangulo para sa isang special session, kung sila mismo po ay hindi magkakasundo, mababale-wala po ang naisin ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
She said senators should focus on serving the public rather than pursuing personal interests.
“Dapat ayusin po nila ang Senado para… ito naman ay para sa taumbayan, hindi pangsarili. So, unahin muna nilang maayos ang kanilang mga sigalot at ang kanilang mga isyu sa Senado,” she added.
The Senate has been embroiled in a leadership dispute after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President following days of turmoil that led to the cancellation of sessions.
Former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has rejected the leadership change, describing it as an “illegal coup d’etat” and refusing to recognize the authority of the new majority bloc.
Despite the dispute, Malacañang has recognized Gatchalian as the Senate’s acting leader, citing existing jurisprudence and Senate precedents.
Asked whether a special session could still push through if the leadership impasse persists, Castro said any such move would have little value if legislative work remains paralyzed.
“Kahit humiling ang Pangulo ng special session, kahit sa kaniya manggaling ang special session—kung wala pong mangyayari dahil hindi po nagkakasundo ang mga senador sa Senado, mababale-wala po iyan,” she said.
“Dapat unahin ng mga senador natin ngayon ang taumbayan hindi ang sariling interes o ambisyon,” Castro added.
The Palace earlier said the President is inclined to grant a request for a special session should Senate leaders formally seek one and provide valid grounds.
