Statement by Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon

"Forcing out Vice President Leni Robredo from the Cabinet is part of the plot to weaken her politically.

"The writings are on the wall. The administration wants the political capital of VP Robredo diminished by stripping her of any opportunity to fulfill her mandate as Cabinet member and head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

"The reason for this sinister agenda is clear: when they ultimately install defeated vice presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos as vice president, it will be at the least political cost on the administration.

"All the past actions and inactions by the executive were clear manifestations that from the start, the administration does not want VP Robredo to succeed. First, it cut her housing budget by P19 billion; second, it conveniently sat on her appointment recommendations to key shelter agencies; and third, it ignored an executive order that could make her agency more effective.

"It was alarming. Where this sinister plot, if not prevented, would lead us is very ominous and disturbing.

"I therefore call on the Filipino people to be vigilant and discerning. We must not lose sight of the next important battle: the appointment of the justices of the Supreme Court.

"In the coming years, the administration is poised to appoint the majority of the justices in the Supreme Court. Starting this month and for the next three years, eight justices would be retiring. By 2019, the administration would have appointed the majority of the justices in the Supreme Court.

"More than ever and most especially in times like this, the country needs a more independent, resolute and uncompromising Supreme Court. Let us guard the process in order to make sure that only those who respect and believe in the rule of law will be appointed.

"If we are not vigilant, the administration can have a full control of the judiciary as it has of the other branches of government."