MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Sunday responded calmly to reports of an alleged Senate coup, saying he remains guided by faith and committed to following the Constitution.
The issue surfaced as the House of Representatives was expected to decide on the possible transmission of impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sotto said he respects the authority of his fellow senators and is prepared to accept whatever outcome may arise.
Despite rumors of leadership changes, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Sotto continues to enjoy support within the chamber, describing his leadership as steady during a crucial political moment.
Senator Erwin Tulfo likewise cast doubt on any alleged coup attempt, saying the public would inevitably question the motives behind such a move.
Tulfo said replacing Senate leadership amid impeachment discussions could create suspicion that some groups were trying to interfere with the process.
Meanwhile, the Palace rejected Senator Imee Marcos’ accusations that the administration was pressuring lawmakers to vote in favor of impeaching Duterte.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that allegations should be supported by solid proof, not speculation.
She also criticized what she described as political intrigue, referring to past statements made by former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding tactics he allegedly used during his time in government.
In a separate statement, Marcos claimed that some members of Congress were allegedly facing threats and intimidation to gain support for the impeachment complaint.
She said certain lawmakers feared possible legal action from agencies such as the DOJ, NBI, Ombudsman, and SEC if they refused to cooperate.
Marcos also alleged that budget allocations for some legislators were temporarily withheld, affecting programs and projects in their districts.
ia/xf
