Senators from the majority bloc have backed Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III as the next Senate President, according to a Senate draft resolution.
“Now therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by a majority vote of all the Senators, to express its sense to re-organize its leadership, and hereby electing Senator Vicente C. Sotto III as the new president,” stated a draft resolution that also read “Introduced by senators,” and signed by Senators Juan Edgarda M. Angara, Nancy S. Binay-Angeles, Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Francis G. Escudero, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Richard J. Gordon, Gregorio B. Honasan II, Panfilo M. Lacson, Loren B. Legarda, Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Ralph G. Recto, Joel J. Villanueva, Cynthia A. Villar, and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.
Mr. Sotto would replace Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel, who is also the president of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban). Mr. Pimentel is also seeking reelection in the upcoming 2019 midterm polls.
Mr. Lacson earlier revealed a possible change of Senate leadership within the year based on an agreement between Messrs. Pimentel and Sotto.
While the two Senate leaders had denied Mr. Lacson’s claims, Mr. Sotto has expressed his openness to hold the position if it was given to him.
Mr. Honasan on Thursday told reporters that Mr. Pimentel has called for a caucus scheduled on Monday to discuss the change in Senate leadership, among other matters.
“Yung mga gusto magsalita, magsasalita. Doon mabubuo ang consensus,” he said.
— Camille A. Aguinaldo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR