Duterte: Senate chaos reflects Marcos’ leadership

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday blamed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the ongoing chaos and division in the Senate, saying the dispute reflects his leadership.

Duterte made the remark amid tensions between two Senate blocs—one led by Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, who heads the current majority, and another led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who continues to assert his claim to the Senate presidency.

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“The chaos in the Senate reflects the leadership of the administration. The chaos and lack of direction in our country reflect the kind of leadership we have in the Palace and in our administration,” Duterte said in a chance interview with reporters.

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“Because everyone recognizes the direction of a leader—when there is no direction, no vision, people really end up going their separate ways. That is what we are seeing, not just in the Senate, but across the entire country,” she added.

Duterte then called on the Senate to set aside their differences and determine their priorities, including what their duties are under the 1987 Constitution.

She said it should include currently unavailable senators—referring to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is detained amid plunder and graft charges; and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is in hiding amid an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

“They are not two groups but a single institution. The 24 of them should discuss—together with those who are detained and those who are in hiding—what the priorities of their institution should be and what their duties are under the Constitution,” she said in Filipino.

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When asked if she recognizes Gatchalian as the new Senate leader and if she recognizes that there was a quorum in electing him, Duterte responded that it is up to the Supreme Court to decide. /mcm

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