Palace refutes claims it orchestrated Senator Mark Villar's shift to the majority

Malacañang rejected Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's claim that the Marcos administration was behind Senator Mark Villar's transfer to the Senate majority. Press Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that elected senators have their own judgment and cannot be forced to follow the executive. She questioned whether Cayetano's view was shaped by experiences from the previous Duterte administration.

Castro clarified that Villar's shift does not alter his relationship with Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently under impeachment trial, nor does it dictate the trial's outcome. The Senate majority rose to 14 members following Villar's addition. Castro framed the move as a positive signal that more senators may support the government's legislative agenda.