Press Release
January 25, 2013

NO NEED FOR JPE TO RESIGN, SAYS CHIZ

Senator Chiz Escudero said there is no need for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to resign from his post as he still enjoys the confidence of a majority of his peers.

"I don't think he should resign unless he no longer enjoys the confidence of a majority of senators. I believe he continues to enjoy such majority support," Escudero said.

Enrile and Minority Leader Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano clashed in an ugly word war, exchanging allegations and insinuations of impropriety and corruption.

Enrile was accused last month of bribing senators with cash gifts. But he denied this and explained that these were maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) funds sourced from Senate savings.

Cayetano also pointed to the "unusual influence" held by Enrile's chief of staff, lawyer Gigi Reyes, had in the Senate. The Senate president had, in turn, denied that Reyes was his girlfriend.

"I do not believe in kicking a man when he is down. Senate President Enrile has explained his position and expressed openness for any audit in the interest of transparency," Escudero said.

"He continues to enjoy my support and confidence," he added.

Escudero also said he expects that the protagonists would rise above personal differences and will be able to focus on the job at hand and that the Senate would continue to perform its mandate.

"I believe that the Senate as an institution will overcome this and perform its constitutionally mandated functions," he added.

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