Sotto says allotment of Senate panel chairmanships now ‘97.5%’ done

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

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Saturday said that the issue between newly-elected and incumbent senators on the appointment of Senate committee chairmanships is now “97.5 percent” resolved.

“[It’s] 97.5 [percent],” Sotto made the pronouncement over an interview with radio station DWIZ when asked if the assignment on committee chairmanships was now resolved “100 percent.”

According to Sotto, incoming Senator Imee Marcos has agreed to chair the Senate Committees on Economic Affairs and the Electoral Reforms on People’s Participation.

The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs was previously chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, while Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was chair of the Electoral Reforms on People’s Participation.

“Then pumayag siya (Marcos) na imbes na yung hingin namin yung social justice [committee] kay Senator [Leila] De Lima, ‘yun lang naman ang nata-trabaho ni Senator De Lima dun sa [Camp Crame,] eh mag-vice chairman siya. Para yung mga concerns niya, ma-take up na rin niya,” Sotto bared.

Sotto added that another opposition senator, Risa Hontiveros, is eyeing to be the next Senate Committee on Cooperatives chair, replacing Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.

When asked if Hontiveros will still get to keep her post as Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality committee chair, Sotto answered: “Hindi eh, nag-usap na kami ni Senator [Franklin] Drilon, kinausap niya si Senator Hontiveros. Ang isang interest ni Senator Risa ay yung Cooperatives [committee].”

This means that returning Senator Pia Cayetano may now get the chairmainship of Hontiveros’ former committee, with Sotto saying: “Yung women ay pwede na kay Senator Pia, at marami siyang concerns doon.”

However, Sotto noted that Cayetano has not yet accepted to be the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

But is Hontiveros okay with losing the Senate Committee she once held to Cayetano?

“Oo, pwede naman siya kasing vice chairman nun eh. According to Senator Drilon, okay lang kay Senator Risa,” Sotto answered. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Sotto assures public of independent, transparent Senate