Malacañang yesterday said it sees no need to replace Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate President, amid reports that some groups are working to unseat him before the Senate convenes as an impeachment court on Jan. 16 next year.
“The President has a very good working relationship with Senator Enrile. And to be frank, we only heard of the news (to oust JPE) only yesterday (Saturday),” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
She said they themselves have been “surprised” at how Sen. Jinggoy Estrada came to a conclusion that President Aquino wanted Enrile out as Senate chief.
“We were surprised when the news came out. I understand it was Senator Estrada whose statement was the basis of the story in one of the broadsheets. We don’t know the circumstances behind the statement of Senator Estrada,” she said.
Valte said there have been a “good number of senators” who hinted that there was no such thing, and that “there was no need for the President to throw his hat on the issue primarily because any change in the leadership of the Senate is something that is unique to the Senate membership.”
When asked if Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio would replace Corona once he is convicted by the Senate impeachment court, Valte replied: “I think that’s a little too far ahead. If and when the announcement is proper, it will be made.”
Sen. Panfilo Lacson has called the reported moves to unseat Enrile “pure hogwash” because he does not believe the administration would go to such lengths just to ensure the conviction of Corona in his forthcoming impeachment trial at the Senate.
“It is absurd to even imagine P-Noy putting pressure on the senators in order to secure a conviction,” he said in a statement.
True or not, the reported coup in the Senate has ruffled a lot of feathers, particularly among the allies of the administration.
Lacson, however, acknowledged that any attempt to grab power from Enrile at this point would only come from the administration.
LP stalwart Sen. Franklin Drilon, the natural choice to take Enrile’s place, also denied the reported plot, particularly the expected result, which is to have him return to his former seat as Senate President.
No such thing
Sen. Edgardo Angara, a former Senate president, also downplayed the story of a Senate coup, as he emphasized the need for the Senate to be independent from Malacañang.
“A (Senate) president who will not be able to keep (his) independence will not last long and will not be credible. He will get the respect of Malacañang only if he is independent, and credible,” the veteran senator added in an interview.
He said any move to reorganize the Senate is unnecessary at this time because it needs a “steady hand” and an excellent “legal mind” to guide all 22 other senators in the upcoming impeachment trial of Corona next year.
He added that any senator who would want to stage a power grab against Enrile can be described as “callous” for pursuing such, if any, under the present political circumstances.
Angara said recent developments have not been factored in the latest credit ratings for the country. He said investors will be on a “wait and hold” position rather than pursue business expansion, which will have immediate economic impact.
“We will be in a double whammy. If (Corona) is convicted, I think, it will be some sort of political victory for the President (Aquino) but it is going to be short-lived since it may weaken the judiciary. If Corona is acquitted, the presidency may be weakened also,” he said.
But Angara refused to comment if the best solution would be Corona’s resignation, saying it is up to the public to reflect on the recent developments.
“If there is common ground for agreement, we can avoid a costly conflict that will affect our society. Political conflicts, unlike private disputes, could have undesirable results that will infect the entire country,” he said.
‘Impeachment will weaken institutions’
Senator Estrada said a prolonged impeachment trial will cause embarrassment for Corona and possibly worsen further the quarrel between the executive and the judiciary.
He estimated that the process could take as long as six months once the proceedings start on Jan. 16. He also vowed to decide on the evidence, not on political party lines.
Sen. Lito Lapid has been given regular review of the impeachment proceedings as part of his preparation as senator-judge.
He said his vote will also be independent of political pressures but it would be based on evidence presented against Corona during the entire trial.
Sen. Joker Arroyo earlier had expressed concern over what has become a full-blown clash between the executive and the judiciary.
Arroyo said he received information that some justices are now being persuaded to shift allegiances to the administration by “judging on their performance and under the threat of impeachment.”
He said the impeachment case against Justice Mariano del Castillo was even used as a smokescreen to again mislead the public about the impeachment of Corona.– With Christina Mendez
