MANILA, Philippines – Newly proclaimed Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will start his work on Monday by delivering a privilege speech and filing bills.
Pimentel issued the statement shortly before his proclamation as the 12th legislator in the Senate, replacing Juan Miguel Zubiri who resigned from his post amid allegations of cheating in the 2007 elections in which he was supposed to have defeated Pimentel.
Pimentel said he would have a “short-lived” victory party in Mati City in Davao Oriental on Friday.
His father, former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., congratulated him ahead of the proclamation by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City Thursday.
“He will do what he thinks is right. He will do what is best for the country, not for his personal benefit,” the older Pimentel told reporters.
Pimentel’s mother Bing described her son’s journey to the Senate as “divine justice.”