Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III expressed confidence that he continues to enjoy the support of the senators belonging to the majority bloc, despite ongoing political rumors in the upper chamber.
In a press briefing held Monday, October 6, Sotto said he remains “quite confident” that the majority bloc is united and that the Senate leadership remains strong.
“I’m quite confident,” said Sotto.
“But as usual, any senator who is elected to any leadership only serves at the pleasure of your colleagues,” he clarified.
Sotto maintained that the Senate leadership under his watch remains “stable and well in place.”
“As far as I am concerned and as far as I know now, I’m quite confident that we are stable and the leadership of the Senate is well in place,” he said.
The Senate President also addressed previous reports suggesting that Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito was planning to leave the majority bloc.
“Paulit-ulit si JV, noong araw pa niyang sinasabi yan na ‘rehas’ daw yan, e. He was interviewed and quoted that, I think two (2) weeks ago. But after that I explained what the insertion and the amendments are, and how it is really placed in the budget […] he settled down,” Sotto explained.
Sotto added that he is confident Ejercito would now deny any such claims if asked.
“So the issue that is being placed in social media and in some mainstream media reports about Senator JV, I am very sure that he will deny it now,” Sotto said.
He also mentioned that he recently spoke with Ejercito regarding Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s plans.
“In fact, I was on the phone with him yesterday telling about [sa] plano ni Senator Lacson, and he was quite worried,” Sotto shared.
The Senate President concluded by saying that no member of the majority bloc intends to resign or withdraw from their positions.