Trillanes: I’ll join the minority bloc

Sen. Antonio Trillanes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV confirmed on Wednesday he would join the new minority bloc in the Senate of the 17th Congress.

Trillanes said he would join the minority so he could “freely pursue” his advocacies.

“I congratulate Sen. Koko Pimentel for being chosen by the majority as the Senate President of the 17th Congress. I am confident that under his watch the Senate’s integrity and independence won’t be compromised,” he said in a text message to reporters.

READ: Drilon: Koko is next Senate president

“Having said that, I would be joining the minority in order to freely pursue my advocacies,” Trillanes added.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier confirmed he would be part of the minority bloc in the Senate.

“Yes. I told him that I have nothing personally against him but, as a matter of personal principle and belief, I would rather be in the minority in the Senate,” Escudero said in a separate text message.

He was referring to Pimentel, who disclosed that Trillanes and Escudero would be in the minority.

READ: Escudero, Trillanes will be Senate minority bloc—Pimentel

Incumbent Senate President Franklin Drilon has already conceded the chamber’s leadership to Pimentel, who claimed to have the support of at least 17 senators. TVJ