Koko: Alan welcome in new Senate majority

Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel (right) said he would invite Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to join the new majority when the Senate reopens during the 17th Congress. INQUIRER FILES

After being chosen by the majority of his colleagues to be the next Senate president, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he would extend his hand of “friendship and cooperation” to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and invite him to join the chamber’s new majority bloc.

“(I) will extend my hand of friendship and cooperation to Alan and invite him and his group to join the majority,” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters on Wednesday.

Cayetano belongs to the Nacionalista Party (NP) which will have three members in the Senate in the 17th Congress: himself, Senator Cynthia Villar and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is a Nacionalista but his term will be ending on June 30.

Cayetano, who has expressed his desire to run for Senate president, earlier claimed to have the support of about 15 senators.

Among those who have openly expressed their support or inclination to support Cayetano were Villar and Senators-elect Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

READ: Cayetano says 15 senators backing his presidency in Senate

But incumbent Senate President Franklin Drilon announced at a forum this Wednesday morning that Pimentel’s bid for the highest post in the chamber has already received the backing of around 16 to 17 senators, including him.

“Last night, we met and had that agreement. The president of the incoming Senate will be Koko Pimentel III. I will be the Senate President Pro Tempore and (Senator Vicente) Tito Sotto will be the Majority Leader,” Drilon said.

READ: Drilon: Koko is next Senate president