Sotto: Some representatives want to join NPC even before House coup

Senate President Vicente Sotto III revealed on Saturday that some representatives have wanted to transfer to his party – the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) – prior to the recent House coup.

Sotto made the revelation when asked if some lawmakers had expressed intentions to transfer to his party after the coup that elected former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as House Speaker and unseated Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

“Bago pa nagkagulo, meron na talaga. Bago pa yang pagpapalitan na yan, meron na talaga kaming nakausap na gustong sumama sa NPC,” he told dwIZ.

(There were some even before the squabble. Before that heated exchange, we have talked to some who want to join NPC.)

According to the Senate President, some of these lawmakers are from the PDP-Laban, Liberal Party, Lakas, and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Sotto, however, declined to identify the representatives.

“Iniisip ko kung dapat ko sabihin o hindi. […] Nakakahiya naman na pangunahan ko sila,” he said when asked to cite names.

(I’m thinking if I should reveal it or not. It’s embarrassing to say it before they do.)  /muf