Pimentel: Decision to replace Gordon not for Trillanes to make

Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel (left) said any move by Sen. Antonio Trillanes to unseat Sen. Richard Gordon as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee should get the approval of the Senate majority. INQUIRER FILES

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s call to replace Senator Richard Gordon as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee might end up as futile.

This as Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday stressed that there is no clamor from the senators to kick out Gordon from the committee except for Trillanes.

“Wala naman akong naririnig na clamor o bulung-bulungan man lang na magpalit kami ng chair ng kahit anong committee lalo na sa blue ribbon,” Pimentel said in an interview over dzMM.

“Wala pong nagrereklamo except for one at nabasa ko pa sa media,” Pimentel said.

And before he could move to replace Gordon, Pimentel said Trillanes should clear it first with the majority.

“You better clear it with the majority leader because if there’s no chance that it would be approved, we will no longer entertain the motion,” he said.

Trillanes earlier said he would take the floor when the Senate session resumes on Tuesday to renew the call.

Over the weekend, Trillanes said he wanted Gordon out of the powerful committee due to the way he has handled the ongoing inquiry into the P6.4-billion drug shipment from China that went past the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s inspection.

Trillanes complained that Gordon had mostly monopolized the three hearings of his committee.

“A chair is a moderator and he should allow senators to question [the resource persons]. You give respect to the other senators,” Trillanes said in a radio interview on Sunday.

The Senate president also maintained his confidence to Gordon, whom he described as a “very hardworking committee chairman.”

“Nakikita naman natin si Senator Gordon, napakasipag na chairman. Overloaded na nga ‘yan sa trabaho kasi justice committee na siya, blue ribbon committee then government corporations pa so he’s really trying his best,” he said.

Gordon’s loyalty to President Duterte has also affected his objectivity in leading inquiries, said Trillanes.

Trillanes noticed Gordon’s line of questioning during hearings that would be “less harmful to his political patrons.” CBB