Gatchalian, Pimentel want Sotto to stay as Senate President

Senate President Vicente “TIto” Sotto III. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III should retain his post as the 18th Congress opens on July this year, two senators said on Saturday.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said in a radio interview that there is no reason to replace Sotto for the Senate leadership, noting that Sotto showed a “decisive and strong” leadership.

“Definitely, wala po akong nakikitang dahilan para palitan siya [Sotto]. ‘Yung kanyang liderato very decisive at very strong. At importante dito maraming natatapos [na batas],” Gatchalian told AM radio station DWIZ.

Gatchalian added that he is certain that the incumbent Senate President will stay in the position as Sotto knows how the Senate works.

“Napakita niya yung leadership style dahil sa kanyang experience at knowledge sa Senado, kumbaga kabisado na niya yung takbo ng Senado at personalidad ng senador, maganda yung kanyang pamamalakad. I can say with certainty siya ay mananatili bilang ating Senate President,” Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, Senator Koko Pimentel said all senators are supportive of Sotto and his leadership in the upper chamber of Congress.

“Lahat naman kami na sa ngayon wala akong naririnig na hindi supportive sa leadership ni Senate President Sotto,” Pimentel told DWIZ in another interview.

Pimentel, president of President Rodrigo Duterte’s party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said he is also certain that Sotto will continue to support the Duterte administration. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

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