A member of the Senate minority bloc denied claims of a supposed move to take control of the chamber’s leadership to push constitutional amendments and extend the terms of top government officials.
He said the allegation raised by Senator Imee Marcos was never discussed among members of the minority, including in their caucuses.
“Flat lies, outright lies. Kasinungalingan. Walang pag-uusap kami maski mga caucuses namin. Napakalimit naming mag-caucus sa minority never yan napag-usapan never yan nabanggit ang con-ass,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said in an interview.
He added that if there was any plan to convene Congress as a constituent assembly, the minority bloc had no knowledge of it.
“Kung may planong mag-con-ass di namin alam yan. Kung meron man at kung meron kaming narinig di namin alam kung anong end take na gusto nilang makita,” he said.
Marcos earlier claimed there was an alleged effort to reorganize the Senate leadership to pave the way for Charter change, including supposed term extensions for ranking officials.
The minority senator said those behind the claims should present evidence instead of fueling speculation.
“Hindi ko alam anong pinanggagalingan ng kanilang pananalita. Kung meron silang matibay na basehan bahala sila,” he said.
He stressed that the priority of the minority bloc, known informally as the “Mythical 11,” is to restore public trust in the Senate amid recent controversies and political tensions.
“We love the Senate. Lahat kami nagkakaisa, ibangon natin ang Senado first and foremost sa paningin ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Kalimutan ang iba’t ibang issues, attendant sa pagpalit liderato. Sa amin ang primordial concern namin ang integrity ng Senate,” he added.
The senator said any leadership move, should the minority secure the numbers, would be aimed at rebuilding the chamber’s reputation and dignity, not advancing Charter change.
Lacson said that as far as the “Mythical 11” – the nickname of the minority bloc – is concerned, its priority is to find ways to restore the Senate’s reputation and dignity.
He said that should the minority get the needed numbers to take back leadership of the Senate, it would seek to improve the public perception of the Senate.
“We love the Senate. Lahat kami nagkakaisa, Ibangon natin ang Senado first and foremost sa paningin ng ating mga kababayan. Kalimutan ang iba ibang issues, attendant sa pagpalit liderato. Sa amin ang primordial concern namin ang integrity ng Senate (We love the Senate. All of us are united on this – we must resurrect the Senate’s image. Forget all other issues regarding leadership changes for now – our primordial concern is the integrity of the Senate),” he said.