Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla appealed to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and other senators to exercise restraint amid the worsening Senate leadership dispute, urging Cayetano on his Saturday radio program to compose himself and help ease tensions in the chamber.
“I’d like to appeal to Alan, ayusin niya naman… maghunos-dili sana siya,” Remulla said.
He said the appeal also applies to other senators involved in the dispute.
“Lahat naman sila dapat mag-isip,” Remulla added.
Remulla’s statement came after 12 senators voted on June 3 to install Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore when the chamber reconvened.
Following the vote, senators from the minority bloc who attended the session declared Gatchalian as Acting Senate President.
Gatchalian earlier cited the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco, saying an absolute majority of 12 out of 22 senators was enough to constitute a constitutional majority for quorum purposes.
During the same session, senators also elected new chairpersons for several Senate committees.
Cayetano, however, has maintained that he remains the “legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President,” keeping the leadership dispute unresolved.