Pimentel, Cayetano urged to settle Senate leadership issue

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano (L) and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. FILE PHOTOS

Instead of fighting each other, Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Alan Peter Cayetano have been urged by their colleagues to join forces and settle, once and for all, the Senate leadership issue.

“Magsama-sama na lang kami imbes na mag away-away. ‘Yan ang gusto din ni President Digong (Rodrigo Duterte),” Senator-elect Juan Miguel Zubiri said over the phone on Wednesday.

(Just join together instead of fighting. That’s what President Duterte also wants.)

Zubiri said he had spoken separately with Cayetano and Pimentel but refused to disclose what transpired during their talks.

READ: Cayetano admits eyeing Senate presidency

“No comment muna ako because I don’t want the group of Digong, which is Alan and Koko, to be fighting one another so hayaan ko na lang muna,” the incoming senator said.

(No comment as of now because I don’t want the group of Digong, which is Alan and Koko, to be fighting one another so I’ll just let it be.)

Zubiri was also mum when asked if Duterte had asked either Pimentel or Cayetano to withdraw from the Senate presidency race.

“No comment, no comment muna,” he said.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito also expressed hope that Pimentel and Cayetano would be able to settle the issue since they are both allies of the President-elect. Pimentel is Duterte’s lone party mate in the Senate while Cayetano was his running mate in the last May 9 elections.

“Ang 17th Congress will open third week of July so medyo may time pa naman pero sana na lang ay magkaayos na silang dalawa; magkasama naman sila e and I feel that we are all allies kasi kami po ay mga kaalyado ni President Duterte so sana naman magkaayos na sila,” Ejercito said in a press briefing.

(The 17^th Congress will open on the third week of July so we still have time, but I hope they settle it between themselves; I feel that we are all allies because we are supporters of President Duterte so I hope they come to terms with each other.

READ: 17 senators back Koko for Senate presidency

He said he was having a hard time deciding who to support for Senate president since he considers both Cayetano and Pimentel as friends.

“I consider both of them as friends so sana lang magkaayos na sila (I consider both of them as friends so I hope they come to an agreement). I’d also base my decision not solely on the relationships but more on how I can be of help to the incoming administration,” said the senator.

Ejercito and Zubiri have earlier expressed their leaning towards Cayetano, along with Senator Cynthia Villar and Senator-elect Richard Gordon. The five were not among the 14 senators who signed a resolution, supporting Pimentel’s bid for Senate president.

READ: Cayetano says 15 senators backing his presidency in Senate

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, meanwhile, expects that other senators supportive of Duterte’s programs would soon join the new majority bloc after the latter’s statement that he would be “neutral” in the Senate leadership race.

“As a matter of fact, it would be an eye opener to those who haven’t joined the majority. For those who may want the majority, this is the best time to join… unless you really want to be in the minority, then so be it,” Sotto said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

“We just expect that majority of the members of the Senate in the 17th Congress would like to support the programs, the goals of the incoming President Duterte…

“What is your point in joining the minority if you’re supportive of the programs of President Duterte. If you go to the minority, that means you’re not (supportive of Duterte’s programs),” Sotto added.

So far, Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Antonio Trillanes have confirmed that they would be in the minority although Senator Ralph Recto said he is also open to join the group. JE

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