Incumbent senators rally behind Sotto

MANILA, Philippines — Incumbent senators have rallied around Senate President Vicente Sotto III amid persistent rumors of new entrants to the chamber plotting to oust him when the 18th Congress opens in July.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday started circulating a draft resolution expressing support for the continued leadership of Sotto even as their colleagues chided newbie senators for putting their personal interests first and endangering the chamber’s stability and legislative capacity.

“We’ll find out who among you has doubts on the leadership of the Senate president because we’ve been one in saying we’re happy with his (Sotto) leadership,” Lacson told dzMM.

He said the Senate under the leadership of Sotto has registered over 70 percent approval and trust ratings in the latest surveys.

Lacson said he left the draft resolution undated and open to some amendments to allow the new senators a chance to sign it if they choose to when the new Congress opens on July 22.

The drafting of the resolution was the idea of Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who belongs to the PDP-Laban.

“Now there may be one or two new ones who keep on insinuating that they’re pushing somebody else. But it’s simple: Look for 11 others to join the two of you and it’s (Senate presidency) yours,” Lacson said.

Lacson did not mention names but senator-elect Francis Tolentino, who is from PDP-Laban, has been saying in media interviews there is no guarantee that Sotto will remain as Senate president.

Senator-elect Imee Marcos earlier said in an interview that she would back Sen. Cynthia Villar, their leader in the Nacionalista Party, if she seeks the top post in the chamber.

It takes at least 13 votes to elect a Senate president.

Marcos said she has heard of moves to have Villar elected as Senate president.

“For my part, I will stick to the party. More importantly, stick to Senator Cynthia because she’s been so good to us,” Marcos told ANC.

In an earlier interview, Villar said she is not interested in taking the Senate leadership. Senate presidents are members of all committees by virtue of their position.

Villar maintained she just wanted to keep her chairmanships in the Senate committees on agriculture and food, and environment and natural resources.

However, when reporters asked her whether she is closing the doors to the Senate presidency, Villar said it would depend on the situation.

“It all depends, everything you have to think about when it comes. It doesn’t follow that you like it but you have to give it a thought, isn’t it?” she remarked.

Lacson warned many senators would side with Sotto if there are signs he would be removed.

But that situation would immediately pose problems for those siding with whoever will be the new Senate chief as that bloc, added to the existing four members of the minority bloc, would comprise the new majority faction comprising at least 15 members.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sens. Nancy Binay and Joel Villanueva have all said they will sign resolution.

“It’s sad that our time is being consumed by political persuasions, instead of each one of us committing to support the Senate’s legislative agenda in the coming Congress,” Binay said in a statement.

“We are supposed to work together, put some work in the Senate and push for advocacies that matter to the people – regardless of political affiliations,” she said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon advised the new senators to study well the process of legislating before seeking major committees.

Incumbent senators Binay, Lacson, Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ralph Recto, Sherwin Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Richard Gordon and Zubiri indicated their support for Sotto.

Returning senator-elect Lito Lapid, also a member of National People’s Coalition, is expected to support his partymate Sotto to keep the Senate presidency.

Other members of the Senate in the 18th Congress who have yet to be interviewed about the Senate presidency include Senators Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francisco Pangilinan and Leila de Lima, reelected Sen. Sonny Angara, senators-elect Christopher Go, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino and returning senator-elect Ramon Revilla. They will take their oath on June 30. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe