Malacañang on Tuesday said there is no constitutional crisis despite the continuing leadership dispute in the Senate, stressing that the Executive Branch recognizes Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the issue remains an internal matter for the Senate to resolve and should not be blamed on the Executive Branch.
“Sa mata po ng Malacañang, sa mata po ng Ehekutibo, wala po tayong matatawag na constitutional crisis,” Castro said.
She said the Palace position is clear: it recognizes the leadership of Gatchalian and expects the other faction to accept the choice backed by the majority.
“Maliwanag po ang sinabi, ang sinusuportahan po at ang niri-recognize na liderato ay ang liderato po ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said.
Castro also rejected the claim that there are now two upper chambers, the “Senate of the Philippines” and the “Senate of Malacañang.”
“The President said there’s only one upper chamber, and it is the Senate of the Philippines, led by Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” she said.
On calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene, Castro said the President continues to respect the separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches.
She said Marcos remains inclined to call a special session if requested, but stressed that senators must first settle their dispute because any special session would be useless if the chamber remains divided.
“Ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay mauna ang Senado na magkasundo,” Castro said.
She said the leadership row has already delayed pending bills, resolutions, and other work in the Senate.
“Dapat ayusin po nila ang Senado dahil ito naman ay para sa taumbayan, hindi pansarili,” Castro said.
Castro also said authorities are looking into the reported security threat at the Senate based on information from the National Bureau of Investigation.
She warned that anyone behind a threat against the chamber would be held accountable, regardless of position or status.
“Hindi po kayo makakaligtas sa kamay ng batas,” she said.
Castro also urged the public to be cautious about false information linked to the Senate dispute, including claims that senators met with Marcos in Malacañang.
“Ito po ang sabi ng Pangulo: Fake news is flying around. Those into it should cease and desist,” she said.
She also dismissed speculation that politics was discussed during the recent exchange between First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano at a dinner reception hosted by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. on June 8.
Castro said she was not aware of what they discussed but believed it was only a friendly exchange.