Ouster plot vs JPE 'still alive'

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile proved himself to be an astute politician. Amid ouster plots against him, Enrile offered to resign on Monday, January 21. But majority of the senators rejected it so he keeps his post as Senate President.

But it doesn’t mean the death of the ouster move against him, said Enrile’s critic Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

“It’s still very much alive until the last day of session,” Trillanes told Rappler in a text message. February 6 is the last day of session in the Senate.

“I said earlier that the support of the LP (Liberal Party) senators is needed to exceed the required number,” Trillanes added.

Trillanes said Enrile’s move on Monday did not suprise him. “But I was surprised that he attacked the media,” he said. “I see it actually as a desperate move,” he added. (Read the entire speech of Enrile here.)

He also told ABS-CBN News Channel he will deliver his own speech on Tuesday, January 22, to respond to Enrile’s “juvenile speech.”

Before the session on Monday, Trillanes told reporters Enrile may be ousted in February. He said he needs the vote of LP senators Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Francis Pangilinan, and Ralph Recto to get the necessary 13 votes to oust Enrile.

Drilon, Guigona and Recto however voted in favor of Enrile on Monday. Pangilinan was absent.

“Our numbers at the moment, if joined by the LP senators, will be more than the needed number [to oust him],” he told reporters. – Rappler.com

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