Senate leadership change talks still on, says Sotto
Senator-elect Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III (File photo)
Sotto, who was at the Senate on Thursday, initially parried questions about a possible Senate leadership contest when the 20th Congress opens on July 28.
“I think that question is better addressed to my colleagues—to the other senators, not to me—because some of them have approached me, asking if I’m ready to lead. And of course, my answer is yes, if that’s what they want,” he said in English and Filipino.
But when asked if the are still ongoing talks on that, Sotto answered in the affirmative.
“I’m still hearing the same things in the discussions reaching me.”
Describing himself as“old school,” Sotto said he is not going around to seek the support of his colleagues.
He could not say for sure, however, if other senators are doing it for him.
For incoming Sen. Erwin Tulfo, however, discussions on a possible leadership change have already died down.
“Maybe someone has already been chosen,” he said in jest in a separate interview in the Senate.
He confirmed he was approached by the camps of Sotto and incumbent Senate President Francis “ Chiz” Escudero— both seeking his support.
“They’re saying, ‘Maybe you’d like to join our group,’ that’s what Senator Sotto said. As for Senator Chiz, he said, ‘Oh Erwin, maybe you’d like to join our group?’ I replied, ‘Okay, boss, I’ll think it over first.’ It’s hard to commit right away.”
What he is certain though is that he would like to be part of the new majority bloc in the Senate.
Joining the majority, however, does not mean that he would always agree to them, Tulfo said.
“Even if you’re in the majority, of course you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this really right?’ Because if it goes against what the people want, then I have to stand up and question it. I can’t just stay quiet—I can’t just accept it even if it’s wrong. That’s why I have to stand up,” he pointed out.
Sotto’s next steps, on the other other hand, would depend on what the Senate leadership will look like in the 20th Congress.
“I’d rather cross the bridge when I get there,” he said.
“I’d rather cross that bridge when I get there. But for now, I want to see who the leader will be and what the leadership will look like before I decide on my next plans or steps.”
