MANILA — Malacañang expressed concern that ongoing unrest in the Senate could hamper the passage of important legislation and negatively affect investor confidence and the economy.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark amid disruptions in Senate proceedings following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on plunder and graft charges related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Castro said the Executive Branch would continue to coordinate with the Senate regardless of who leads the chamber, emphasizing the need to pass priority measures for the public.

“Sa parte ng Pangulo, sa parte ng ehekutibo, wala pong magiging isyu. Kahit sino po ang lider sa Kongreso, makikipag-ugnayan at makikipag-cooperate ang ehekutibo para lamang maipasa ang mga priority bills para sa taumbayan (On the part of the President and the executive, there won’t be any issue. Regardless who leads Congress, the executive will work and coordinate to pass priority bills for the people),” she said in a press briefing.

She also said senators could have continued carrying out their responsibilities despite developments surrounding Estrada’s arrest.

“Hindi naman po kinakailangan na hindi magtrabaho kahapon. Maski ang paghatid at pagsama kay Senator Jinggoy Estrada bilang kaibigan ay nararapat lamang, pero hindi po kinakailangan talikuran ang sariling mandato para lang sa ganitong klaseng isyu (There’s no need to stop working. Assisting Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in his arrest as a colleague is okay, but there’s no need to stop carrying out their mandate because of this issue),” Castro said.

According to Castro, prolonged tensions in the Senate could have consequences beyond the legislative chamber.

“Kung ganito po ang nangyayari sa Senado, mahihirapan po talaga hindi lamang ang Pangulo kung hindi ang taumbayan (What is happening in the Senate will really affect not only the President but also the people),” she said.

“Apektado ang taumbayan dito. Pati po ang ekonomiya ay maaapektuhan sa ingay at gulo sa Senado (The people will be affected here. Even the economy will be affected by the noise and chaos in the Senate),” she added.

Castro made the statement in response to concerns that several administration-backed priority measures could remain pending as Congress approaches adjournment.

The Senate has been facing internal tensions since Estrada’s arrest on June 1 on plunder and graft charges involving alleged kickbacks amounting to more than PHP573 million from flood control projects.

Following the arrest, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and members of the majority bloc did not attend plenary sessions, saying the legal action against Estrada raised concerns over the institution’s independence.

The latest developments came weeks after a security incident at the Senate on May 13 involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa and amid previous disagreements between majority and minority senators over plenary procedures.