Villar: No problem with Sotto staying as Senate President if that’s the consensus

MANILA, Philippines — Reelected Sen. Cynthia Villar said Friday she has no problem with Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III staying on as Senate President if this would be the consensus of the senators in the coming 18th Congress.

“Hindi pa kami nagkikita-kita, hindi ko pa nakukuha consensus nila, pero wala namang problema sa akin ‘yun if that is the consensus (I have not met them, we have yet to reach a consensus but I have no problem with that if that is the consensus),” Villar told Radyo Inquirer 990, apparently referring to incoming senators, when asked if she supports Sotto’s leadership.

Asked if any of her colleagues floated the idea of electing her as Senate president since she topped the senatorial polls, she answered: “It doesn’t follow po.”

“Marami pong naging top sa Senado ‘di naman naging Senate President,” Villar added.

Last Monday, incumbent senators from the Senate majority bloc held a caucus and decided to keep the status quo in the Senate. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said they expect the “majority of 20 senators” to back Sotto’s leadership. Even incoming senators have agreed to support Sotto, according to Recto.

READ: Senators agree to keep Sotto as Senate President

The 17th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 8, while the 18th Congress will open on July 22, the same day that the next Senate President will be elected by senators. President Rodrigo Duterte will also deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on that day.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)