Palace says Senate leadership rumors not alarming

Malacañang stated that rumored attempts to change the Senate leadership are not alarming, emphasizing the upper chamber's democratic freedom to select its leader.

Palace Press Office Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro affirmed that the Senate possesses freedom of expression and internal democracy, making the situation not a cause for concern.

Castro quoted Senate President Vicente Sotto III as assuring that matters in the Senate are stable.

She expressed hope that any new Senate leadership would prioritize the welfare of the people over personal interests.

Sotto himself had previously dismissed rumors of an ouster attempt, stating he did not anticipate any plenary action before the scheduled adjournment on October 10.

Earlier, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines warned that a change in the leadership of the upper chamber would heighten the public's suspicion of a cover-up in the ongoing probe of corruption and anomalies in flood control projects.