Senators see no reason for Enrile to resign

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Francis Escudero said Friday Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile need not resign over the use of Senate funds that turned into an ugly word war between Enrile and Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

"The Senate president has not violated any laws. He has the trust and confidence of the majority of our members. He must not resign and fall prey to further intrigues and false allegations and accusations. Senate practice and tradition support the acts of Senate President Enrile," Sotto said in a text message.

Sotto said Enrile still has the trust and confidence of the majority of the senators even as he challenged Enrile's critics to file charges if they think the veteran lawmaker violated the laws.

"He must not resign and fall prey to malicious accusations hurled by few. The intention of doing a trial by publicity only show that some officials are just after exposure no matter what it takes," Sotto said.

Escudero agreed there is no need for 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 in a press statement.

Enrile and Minority Leader Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano clashed in an ugly word war with the 88-year-old Enrile, 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, in the Senate.

The Senate president had, in turn, denied that Reyes, who has since resigned as chief of staff and apologized, 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. (PNA)