MANILA, Philippines —It was Senator Manny Pacquiao’s idea to draft a resolution to find out who among the senators are still supporting the leadership of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said this after disclosing in a radio interview that he has already prepared a resolution that will be routed among senators starting Monday.
READ: Lacson drafts resolution on Senate presidency
“The idea was originally proposed by Sen Manny Pacquiao actually,” Lacson said in a text message.
Pacquiao is one of five members of PDP-Laban in the Senate, including those elected in the last s May senatorial race.
The four other PDP senators are party president, Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Francis Tolentino .
“The resolution about to be routed is about a vote of confidence in the leadership of SP Sotto amid insinuations made by Sens-elect Marcos and Tolentino for a leadership change for whatever motives they have – whether it’s posturing to get their desired committee chairmanships or serious attempts to elect a new senate leader. It is quite simple though,” he explained.
“All the two incoming members of the Senate have to do is convince 11 more senators of the incoming 18th Congress to side with them and their wish is automatically gathered,’ Lacson added.
Senator-elect Imee Marcos earlier disclosed an alleged move to push for Senator Cynthia Villar as new Senate President.
READ: Imee Marcos on Senate presidency: There’s lobbying for Villar to ‘step in’
Marcos and Villar both belong to the Nacionalista Party. Their two partymates in the Senate are Senate President Pro Tenpore Ralph Recto and Senator-elect Pia Cayetano.
If he would base it on expression of support, Lacson believes that Sotto could still retain his post.
“If we will base it on the expression of support to the leadership of SP Sotto, be it through media or among ourselves, a good number is there, unless we’re hearing lip service,” he said. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)