Sotto is new Senate President

Senator Vicente “Tito“ Sotto III on Monday officially took over the Senate leadership from Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Sotto was formally elected as Senate president on Monday at a session opened by Pimentel, who nominated Sotto.

“I do this nomination without any reservation because I know with my close association with him, he is deserving,” Pimentel said in his manifestation.

Pimentel stepped down as Senate president on Monday, joining his colleagues in signing a resolution electing Sotto as the next leader of the chamber.

READ: Pimentel bows out; nominates Sotto as next Senate president

The outgoing senate president said Sotto is an institution not only in the Senate, but in the fields of show business, music, and sports as well.

Sotto’s nomination was not challenged.

However, the minority bloc composed of Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Antonio Trillanes, and Leila de Lima abstained from voting.

Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon manifested on record their abstention to maintain their position as minority and opposition.

As early as last week, Sotto’s election as new leader of the upper chamber was sealed as 15 senators signed a resolution calling for reorganization of Senate leadership.

Pimentel became the 16th senator to sign the resolution today. /vvp