(Updated 1:18 p.m.) Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday bared that there is an ongoing plan to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile before the chamber ends its session this February.
In an interview with reporters Monday, Trillanes said that they only need the votes of the four LP senators to reach the needed 13 votes required to claim the seat.
"Sinasabi natin may mga senador na handa na sa pagpalit ng liderato ng Senado ngayon ang inaantay na lang natin 'yung mga senador from the Liberal Party para makumpleto 'yung numero na ngayon so ang bola nasa Liberal Party," he said.
"Let's just say we have the numbers dun sa aming group, ang inaantay na lang natin ['yung LP]... pag pumasok 'yung LP di hamak na hihigit na lalagpasan na natin yung required number," he added.
The LP senators are Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, and Teofisto Guingona III. GMA News Online was still trying to get their comment as of posting time.
Enrile has yet to comment on Trillanes' statement, but in previous interviews he said he is ready to relinquish his post if his colleagues who are critical of his leadership would have the numbers to unseat him.
Trillanes said if they succeed, they plan to have Drilon or Sen. Manny Villar take Enrile's seat.
Trillanes admitted that coup plans are supposed to be done in silence but he said he didn't want to do it that way.
"Ang nakagawian kasi hindi ina-announce ito [pero] ang sa 'kin kasi harapan dapat, hindi tayo sanay doon sa pailalim na laro so I am very open dun sa desire natin na palitan 'yung liderato ng Senado," he said.
"I believe 'yung pagiging Senate president ni Sen. Enrile is not consistent with the tuwid na daan philosophy of this present administration, at kung tinanggal natin si Chief Justice [Renato] Corona sa kanyang position dahil sa SALN eh palagay ko higit na mas maraming rason kung bakit natin tatanggalin si Sen. Enrile," he added.
He also said they still feel the need to change leadership even with only nine session days left.
"You change it because you can. Kung ganun din ang tanong bakit hindi na lang natin pinag-retire si CJ Corona hindi kung tama kailangan gawin mo na," Trillanes said.
The development came after Enrile confirmed that he gave additional funds for operating expenses amounting to P1.6 million to selected senators last December.
Trillanes, however, said that this is "not even an issue."
"Marami akong issue, 'yung ibang senador they have their own issues as well so you'll have to ask them later on kung bakit," he said.
"Kung malalaman ninyo lang 'yung mga kasalanan ni Sen. Enrile noong nakaraan at ngayong kasalukuyan barya lang 'yung offense ni CJ Corona," he added.
But he noted that he personally fears that the position of Senate president and its resources would be used in the upcoming elections.
Trillanes first criticized Enrile for his alleged mishandling of the bill on the division of Camarines Sur while Enrile called him out for his meddling in the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK, GMA News
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