Manila: The fate of detained Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada lies with the courts, not the Senate, as Malaca±ang declared on Wednesday, dismissing calls for their participation in the Senate impeachment proceedings while under detention.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed reporters, emphasizing that Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano's view of Marcoleta and Estrada as 'political prisoners' is solely his own opinion. Castro stated, "Kung iyan po ang kaniyang paniniwala, hindi naman din po siguro ito ang paniniwala ng Sandiganbayan. Iba ang kanyang pananaw. Iba rin naman ang pananaw ng mga korte (If that is his belief, it does not necessarily mean the Sandiganbayan shares the same view. His perspective is different, and the courts have their own judgment)."
Castro's remarks followed Cayetano's 'counter-SONA' where he defended the Senate minority bloc members, including the detained Estrada and Marcoleta, who face separate plunder charges. Cayetano argued that the senators should be allowed to attend Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial despite their detention.
Castro reiterated that decisions regarding the possibility of bail or temporary freedom for the lawmakers are strictly under the jurisdiction of the courts. She suggested that if Cayetano perceives the cases as politically motivated, he could represent the senators legally and present his arguments in court. "Hindi po kay Senator Alan Cayetano ang pagpapasya. Nasa korte, nasa Sandiganbayan. So, kung ano man ang mga kaniyang binanggit, kung iyan ang paniwala niya - political motivation - maaari naman po siguro siyang tumayo na lawyer sa dalawa para ito'y mapatunayan (The decision does not rest with Senator Alan Cayetano. It rests with the Sandiganbayan. If he truly believes the cases are politically motivated, perhaps he can serve as their lawyer and prove those claims in court)," she expressed.
Castro also opposed Marcoleta's request for permission to attend the impeachment trial while detained, warning that granting such a request could lead to "special treatment" and set a precedent for other detained professionals to seek similar permissions. "So, kung ganon ang mangyayari at papayagan sila at magkakaroon ng special treatment, maaaring lahat ng nagtatrabaho na nakakulong ay hayaan na rin magtrabaho habang nakakulong (If that happens and they are given special treatment, then all detained individuals who have jobs could also demand to continue working while in detention)," she stated.
Emphasizing existing court rulings, Castro noted that detained lawyers are only allowed to practice law in self-defense, not for other clients. The Sandiganbayan had previously denied Estrada's plea for 'virtual freedom,' reinforcing this stance.
She further highlighted former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio's opinion that public officials facing graft-related charges, including plunder, should remain suspended. Castro concluded, "So, kung ano man ang magiging desisyon ng Senado patungkol sa manifestation ni Senator Marcoleta, hindi po rin ito mananaig dahil ngayon ang jurisdiction po kay Senator Jinggoy at Senator Marcoleta ay nasa kamay po ng Sandiganbayan (Whatever decision the Senate may reach regarding Senator Marcoleta's manifestation will not prevail because jurisdiction over Senators Jinggoy and Marcoleta now rests with the Sandiganbayan)."
