Sotto says he will resign as Senate Majority Leader

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III announced on Thursday that he was resigning from his post.

“After I submit my accomplishment report, I will inform the Senate that I’m resigning as Majority Leader at the end of the 15th Congress,” Sotto told reporters before the session started at 4 p.m.

He said he would formally inform the chamber of his decision before it adjourns sine die this Thursday, the last day of the current 15^th Congress. The next Congress will open in July.

“Yung resignation ko deemed resigned na yun. Yung opisina ko lang will stay until June 30 kasi kawawa naman yung mga empleyado na biglang before June 30, resigned na rin silang lahat,” he said.

Asked why he was leaving his post, Sotto said: “Maraming bagay e. Una sa lahat pagod na ko e (A lot of things. Foremost of which I’m already tired).”

“Mahirap. Napakahirap. I don’t think I can top the time, effort, blood sweat and tears that I put into the last three years. So let’s leave at that. Sabi nga nila, quit while you’re ahead,” he said.

His announcement came just a day after Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile stepped down from his post Wednesday.

Enrile and Sotto both belong to the so-called “macho” bloc in the Senate, along with Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Senator Gregorio Honasan.

Estrada was installed as acting Senate President immediately after Enrile’s resignation.

Sotto said he decided to resign instead of waiting for the position to be declared vacant when the 16th Congress opens in July, lest he be accused of holding on to his post.
“Pangit pang pakinggan yung may magde-declare positions all vacant. Para bang kapit-tuko ka sa puwesto e. Hindi na,” he said.

“Let the members of the Senate, especially the new Congress, the 16^th Congress, decide who would they want to lead their Congress.  I will settle for a seat in the minority group,” he said.