MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday said it had nothing to do with the removal of lawmakers who voted against the death penalty from leadership positions in the House of Representatives.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella maintained that the executive department does not interfere with the affairs of the legislative department, a co-equal branch of government.
Malacañang also respects former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's opposition to the death penalty. Arroyo was removed as deputy speaker.
"The legislative is treated as an independent branch from the executive so the ongoing movement in committee chairmanships is left to the discretion of House leadership. The majority block wants to place colleagues who are supportive of the priority bills of the government,” Abella said.
"We appreciate and respect that Rep. Arroyo remains steadfast in her position to issues that are close to her heart such are her opposition to the death penalty but at the same time she is able to throw her support to the president's drive against drugs, criminality and corruption."
"We appreciate and respect that Rep. Arroyo remains steadfast in her position to issues that are close to her heart such are her opposition to the death penalty but at the same time she is able to throw her support to the president's drive against drugs, criminality and corruption."
Source : http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/16/17/palace-denies-hand-in-house-shakeup