Cayetano to Escudero, Imee: Calm down, eyes on the ball
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (L) and Sen. Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — “Cooler heads and eyes on the ball.”
These were the words used by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano when he urged Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos to set aside their emotions and hopefully talk to each other.
“I am hoping that magkaroon ng chance na mag usap si Sen. Imee at Sen. Chiz kasi nga mas focus natin yung findings ng committee. Kasi nga nagbabalak yung International Criminal Court at yung ibang mga katulad ni [former] Sen. [Leila] de Lima, ‘di ba? Basta’t tingin niya kalaban niya, sasabihin niya — o baka ikaw na ang sunod,” said Cayetano when he was asked to comment on Escudero and Marcos’ supposed exchange of scathing remarks.
The exchange of remarks between Escudero and Marcos transpired after the latter’s Senate panel probed into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest last March 11.
(I am hoping that there would be a chance for Sen. Imee and Sen. Chiz to talk because what we want to focus on now is the findings of the committee. Because the ICC is already planning, and those people like former Sen. de Lima, right? As long as she thinks you are her foe, she’ll say that you’ll probably be next.)
“Gusto ba natin na may Pilipinong nag aalala na bigla na lang silang pwedeng damputin, ilagay sa eroplano [at] i-fly out. Ang akin lang — cooler heads and eyes on the ball,” he added.
(Do we want Filipinos to worry that they would be the next to be nabbed , forced to board a plane, and flown out of the country? What I meant was they should have cooler heads and eyes on the ball.)
Earlier, Sen. Marcos claimed that the Senate chief had refused to sign the contempt order against Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Amb. Markus Lacanilao, ordering his release from the Senate detention facility instead.
Lacanilao was cited in contempt by the Senate panel on foreign affairs headed by Marcos for allegedly lying.
In response to Marcos’ remarks, Escudero urged her to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own political objectives.
In a statement early Friday, Escudero refuted Marcos’ claim that he refused to sign the contempt order of Lacanilao.
“Ambassador Lacanilao was ordered detained without the requisite approval and due process,” said Escudero.
“After several hours of Ambassador Lacanilao’s unauthorized detention, I directed his release, both as a matter of regularity and out of humanitarian consideration as his grandfather is to be laid to rest today,” he added.
He said he would issue a show cause order against Lacanilao within the day, directing him to explain within five days why he should not be cited for contempt by the Senate panel on foreign relations.
“I shall decide on whether or not to sign his arrest [or] detention only thereafter,” said the Senate chief.
Still, Escudero explained that all Senate members are fully aware that under the Senate Rules, the power of a committee chairperson to order the arrest or detention of any resource person cited in contempt is subject to the approval of the Senate President.
Escudero said this safeguard exists to ensure that the Senate’s powers are exercised prudently, with due regard for the rights of all, and are not wielded for personal or political ends.
“I will not allow the Senate nor the Office of the Senate President to be used to further petty partisan interests, especially by those actively seeking reelection in the coming May midterm polls. The Senate is an institution of reason and rule; it is not a tool to be leveraged for propaganda or self-promotion,” said the Senate chief then.
