Senate will have ‘cordial’ relationship with Malacañang — Sotto

The Senate will have a “cordial” relationship with Malacañang under his leadership, newly elected Senate President Vicente “Tito“ Sotto III on Monday.

“It will be cordial, it will be cooperative for bills that we know or legislation that we know will be good for the country, for the Filipino we will be cooperative,” Sotto told reporters before he was formally elected.

However, Sotto said the Senate will remain independent while supporting the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will try our best to keep the Senate independent, supportive but independent,” he said.

Sotto, a member of the National People’s Coalition, also stressed that he is not affiliated with either administration or opposition parties.

Malacañang on Monday lauded former Senate President Aquilino “Kiko” Pimentel III for passing “landmark” legislations under his leadership.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace respects whoever leader may be chosen by the senators.

“We assure the incoming Senate President of our willingness to work with him as we recognize naman that whoever the new Senate President would be would also be a close ally of the Palace,” he said.

Sotto vowed to work on priority legislations set by the executive.

“‘Yung mga priority bills ng Senate, House and exective, we will priotize pa rin. Wala namang pagbabago,” he said. /vvp