Malacañang has advised Vice President Sara Duterte to read the Supreme Court decision in the case of Avelino v. Cuenco to gain knowledge about the rules of the Senate, particularly on the matter of choosing its leadership.
This was the response of Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro after Duterte stated that all 24 senators should talk to resolve the issue of Senate leadership, including those who are hiding and detained.
According to Castro, the Vice President's suggestion is unrealistic because the detained lawmakers are under the jurisdiction of the court and not the Senate, so they cannot simply attend or vote. The official added that as a lawyer, it is only proper for the Vice President to be familiar with the legal jurisprudence on this matter.
Castro clarified that if Duterte wants Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to return to the Senate to attend sessions, it would be better to encourage and persuade him, similar to the step taken by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
