MANILA, Philippines – The Palace welcomed the news of Senator Richard Gordon’s chairmanship of the Senate committee on justice, a post previously held by President Rodrigo Duterte’s fiercest critic, Senator Leila De Lima.

“Senator Dick Gordon is an illustrious fellow. He’s been in the senate for 12 years and he also served as Mayor of Olongapo. This guy is one of the brightest leaders we have, so I am pretty certain that Senator Gordon will do an excellent job,” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday, September 20.

Andanar was speaking to Palace reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang.

Though the Palace has confidence in Gordon, Andanar reiterated Duterte’s statement the previous night – that the President had nothing to do with De Lima’s ouster.

De Lima accused Duterte of orchestrating the ouster in order to stop Senate key witness Edgar Matobato from further testifying against him.

“Senator Leila de Lima is entitled to her opinion, and we know that our President and the executive does not interfere in the investigation,” said Andanar.

Speaking for himself, Andanar said he “did not expect” De Lima’s ouster.

The spokesman also said the Palace has nothing to do with the House probe into De Lima’s alleged involvement in drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. The probe was launched by Duterte’s chief ally in the Lower House, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Asked if the Palace believes De Lima abused her position as Senate justice committee chairperson, Andanar said: “It is not for me to say if she abused it or not. It’s really up to the senators themselves and the public.”

Senators who voted to oust De Lima said they did so because they believed her to be “anti-administration” and thus not likely to be “impartial.”

Gordon and Representative Reynaldo Umali, chair of the House committee on justice, have both promised objective and fair investigations. – Rappler.com