Pimentel on Senate leadership: ‘If possible, I prefer to retain my post’

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that if possible, he prefers to retain his post.

Pimentel said this in jest on Tuesday when asked about the reported possible change in Senate leadership.

“Ay kung ako ang tatanungin mo kasi kung pwede sanang hindi na di ba (If you ask me, if possible I hope it won’t happen, right)?” he said, followed by a hearty laugh.

“Pero ganito kasi yan e (But it’s like this), we should not be too attached to the position basta kung may change (if there is a change) in sentiment, we follow the sentiment,” the Senate leader said.

Pimentel acknowledged though that it would be difficult for him to continue leading the Senate while preparing for his re-election in 2019.

He also warned of a leadership vacuum in the Senate once his term officially ends at 12 noon on June 30, 2019.

“My term as senator ends [at] 12 noon [on] June 30, 2019 so even if I get re-elected that doesn’t mean I bring the title of Senate President. Therefore at 12 noon [on] June 30, there is no Senate President if I’m still the Senate President at that time so yun ang gusto kung maiwasan sana (I want to avoid that) and that’s why I’m telling my colleagues,” the Senate leader pointed out.

And for that “legal reason alone,” Pimentel expressed readiness to give up his post.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has expressed his readiness to replace Pimentel should the majority decide to change the leadership. /ee

READ: Sotto as next Senate president: Who am I to resist?