By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang said the supposed role of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in the ouster of former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez does not undermine the Legislative branch as it was still up to the lawmakers to decide on such matters.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after President Duterte jokingly warned the public about his daughter as she was even able to oust a speaker, referring to Alvarez's ouster during Duterte's State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July this year.
In a radio interview, Panelo said the Presidential daughter's role in the ouster should not have any effect in the relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches of government.
"Ultimately, whoever suggested the ouster, ang magde-decide pa rin ang members ng Kongreso (the ones who will make the decision would still have to be the members of the Congress)," Panelo said.
The Palace official also said Alvarez's colleagues would not have voted and replaced him with Pampanga second district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if they were satisfied with his performance.
"‘Di ba narinig natin iyong mga bumoto, sinasabi nila (We heard them say that) they were discontented with the way it is being run," Panelo said.
"Even assuming na Presidente ang magsabing tanggalin ninyo iyan eh kung ayaw naman ng mga tao doon dahil hanga sila sa liderato (that it was the President who initiated the ouster, the lawmakers would not budge if they are impressed by the House leadership). Ultimately, it’s the House of the Representatives that decided regardless of whoever initiated it," he added.
In a speech Thursday night, Duterte warned the public about going against his daughter, saying she will not be backing out on anything.
"Talagang ano 'yan si Inday (Inday really is something). Be careful of that woman. She can oust even a Speaker. She operated in Davao," he said.
"She operated in Davao as mayor, tignan mo nangyari sa Congress. Oh, 'di natanggal si (look at what happened to Congress. They ousted) ... For one simple ," he added.
Duterte also joked that even he is afraid of his own daughter.
"Honest to God. Si Inday 'yung maneuver niya. Kaya p******** pati ako pag naisahan ako niyan, baka mag coup d'etat pa siya, ang junta, ako ang maiwan sa labas (That's how Inday works. That's why even I am looking out for myself because she might stage a coup d'etat and leave me outside)," he said.
It was reported that the Presidential daughter initiated the move to oust Alvarez and endorsed former President Arroyo to take over the position. Carpio back then refused to comment on the matter.
Early this year, Duterte-Carpio warned Alvarez to not even speak of her name in public events after the House Speaker claimed that the Presidential daughter is part of the opposition when she formed a separate regional political party. The Presidential daughter, in a Facebook post, said Alvarez messed with the wrong girl.
The lady mayor also said that the Philippines would be better off without Alvarez as House Speaker.