Pimentel downplays attempt to replace Senate leadership

Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

“Nothing will happen on Monday.”

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III gave this assurance on Thursday amid reports that majority of senators are inclined to support Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as his replacement.

The majority members are expected to hold a caucus on Monday next week to discuss, among others, a possible change in Senate leadership.

Quoting a source, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that at least 14 senators have signified their support for Sotto.

READ: Sotto shoo-in for Senate president’s post

Despite this, Pimentel saw no need for him to conduct a loyalty check among his colleagues to ensure he still has the majority support.

“No need to do that [loyalty check] as I am very willing to be replaced but by someone whose term goes beyond June 30, 2019, so that we will still have an SP [Senate President] after that date,” he said in a text message

And the Senate leader believes that Sotto “complies” with the said requirement. /jpv