SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday disclosed a possible change of leadership at the Senate within the year with Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III assuming the post of Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III, with the latter focusing on his reelection bid in next year’s midterm polls.
“I understand there’s already an understanding between Senator Sotto and Senator Pimentel. But as to when it will be executed or implemented, we do not know. Knowing Senate President Pimentel, he won’t change his mind with that kind of discussion,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.
But when sought for comment, both Senate leaders denied having such discussions on who would be Senate president in the coming months.
“No agreement. But will talk to Senator Sotto immediately upon arrival. Then (we will) hold major caucus,” said Mr. Pimentel, who is currently in Vienna, Austria, in a mobile phone message to reporters.
“There is no direct agreement between Koko and I. No two senators can merely (agree) on any position of leadership. It is a consensus of majority of all the members if a leadership position is vested,” Mr. Sotto said in his text message to reporters.
In the same forum last week, Mr. Sotto said he was open to the Senate president post if it was given to him.
Mr. Lacson said the change in leadership would likely happen either in June or July when Congress resumes session after the sine die adjournment or around October at the latest as Mr. Pimentel files his certificate of candidacy.
He added that senators from the majority bloc would support the leadership change, especially if there was already an agreement between the two Senate leaders.
“We will all respect the agreement and vote according to what has been agreed upon,” Mr. Lacson said.
Mr. Lacson later issued an apology on Twitter after the Senate leaders denied having an agreement. “An apology is in order and is therefore offered to SP Pimentel. It was my understanding that a leadership change in the Senate between him and Sen. Sotto does exist,” he said in his tweet. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

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