Malacañang said it recognizes only the Senate leadership headed by Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian following the continuing leadership dispute in the upper chamber.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said any coordination between the Senate and the Executive branch, including requests for a special session, should be coursed through Gatchalian’s leadership.
Castro said the Palace, the House of Representatives, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines recognize the Gatchalian-led bloc.
She also urged Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to stop insisting on his leadership, saying it no longer enjoys recognition from key institutions.
The Palace official made the remarks days after 12 senators elected Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and later designated him as acting Senate president.
Castro also rejected allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. interfered in Senate affairs or coordinated the leadership change.
She said the President respects the constitutional principle of separation of powers and argued that if Malacañang were dictating Senate affairs, the leadership conflict would not have occurred.
Cayetano earlier alleged that the move to elevate Gatchalian was coordinated and claimed members of the bloc had been communicating with Malacañang.
The leadership dispute comes amid continuing tensions in the Senate following the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges linked to the flood control controversy and disagreements over the chamber’s response to the case.
