Lacson gives peek of likely Senate makeup with Pimentel as head

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday gave a glimpse of the possible new composition of the Senate in the 17th Congress with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III at its helm.

“16th Congress adjourned, getting ready for 17th: SP (Senate President) Pimentel, Pro Temp Drilon, Majority Leader Sotto plus a super majority of at least 20(?),” Lacson wrote on Twitter.

READ: Koko Pimentel eyes Senate presidency

Drilon is incumbent Senate President Franklin Drilon while Sotto is Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who earlier said that he is being considered by majority of his colleagues to be the next Senate leader.

Asked if Lacson’s tweet about the new Senate leadership is the likely scenario when the new Congress opens on July 25, Drilon said he had “no knowledge.”

Pimentel and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano have publicly expressed their intention to seek the highest post in the chamber.

READ: Cayetano or Pimentel seen to challenge Drilon in Senate

Pimentel is the president of PDP-Laban, which is now headed by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as its chairman, while Cayetano was Duterte’s running mate in the last May 9 national elections.

Cayetano lost to Vice President-elect Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

At least three incoming and incumbent senators have signified their support or inclination to support Cayetano’s bid for the Senate presidency.

The three are incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar and Senators-elect Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Zubiri. RAM/rga