Sotto mum on opposition senator reportedly joining the Senate majority bloc

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was tight-lipped about the identity of an opposition senator reportedly planning to join the majority bloc in the Senate.

“I’d rather not confirm or deny. Nakakahiya naman baka sabihin pinapangunahan ko e (It’s embarassing. I may be jumping the gun),” Sotto said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said that at least one member of the minority bloc is now inclined to join the majority.

There are only six opposition senators – Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, and Antonio Trillanes IV.

But when asked if the unnamed opposition senator is welcomed in the majority, Sotto answered yes, saying that “politics is addition.”

Asked again why the opposition senator would join the majority, the Senate leader said: “Baka kaibigan ko… (He or she may be a friend).” /ee

READ: As change in Senate leadership looms, Drilon vows to keep opposition intact