Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III clarified on Tuesday that he holds no personal resentment toward Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, following her sudden move to join the new majority under Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
While Senator Ping Lacson candidly admitted to feeling “bitter” about the realignment that solidified Cayetano’s grip on the chamber, Sotto maintained a more bewildered stance during an ambush interview with Senate reporters.
“Nagtataka lang ako. Ganoon lang. Nakakapagtaka. Hindi nagpaalam,”
Legarda’s transition was made official on Monday, May 11, when she joined the Cayetano-led coalition and was subsequently elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
She was part of a decisive four-senator migration that included Senators Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar—a move that effectively shifted the power balance of the Senate.
Despite the lack of a formal “goodbye,” Sotto insisted that while the departure was unexpected, it has not fueled any ill will on his part.