Senator Loren Legarda. Photo courtesy of Loren Legarda/Facebook.
Senator Loren Legarda called on senators to respect the newly elected Senate leadership, while maintaining that the June 3 proceedings that removed her as Senate president pro tempore were unconstitutional.
Legarda issued the statement after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was formally elected Senate president during Wednesday’s special session.
She said her objection to the June 3 proceedings was not about power, but about her belief that the process violated the 1987 Constitution.
Legarda said the decision of 13 senators in Wednesday’s session should now be respected so the Senate could move forward.
She said the chamber must return to the work entrusted to it by Filipinos.
Legarda said her recognition of Wednesday’s election did not change her position on the June 3 proceedings, which she continued to question.
She said the latest election stood on a separate constitutional basis and would take effect moving forward.
Legarda also expressed hope that the Supreme Court would give guidance on the petition filed by the minority bloc to prevent similar disputes on voting thresholds, numerical requirements, and possible impeachment-related proceedings. She congratulated Gatchalian, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto, and Majority Leader Migz Zubiri on their election.
