Grace Poe ready to join minority in case of Senate leadership change

MANILA, Philippines— Some senators belonging to the majority bloc in the Senate might join the opposition should there be a leadership change in the chamber.

And independent Senator Grace Poe is one of them.

“Sa tingin ko kapag pinalitan talaga nila si Senator Sotto, may banta talaga na may mga iba na hindi sasanib doon sa mayorya,” Poe said when asked in an interview whether a change of leadership would strengthen the opposition in the chamber.

“Ewan ko kung mas dadami pero, masasabi kong mas lalakas kung lumipat si Tito Sen sa minority di ba?” she added.

At present, there are only four members of the minority bloc.

The four are Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Leila de Lima, who has been detained over drug charges.

Poe minced no words when asked again if she is ready to join the opposition in case Sotto is replaced as Senate President.

“Oo,” she said responding to the question. “Kung lilipat si Senator Sotto sa minority, sasama na lang ako.”

Talks of a possible change in Senate leadership circulated as the jockeying for committee chairmanships has begun.

Sotto himself admitted there was conflict over the chairmanships as some neophyte senators want to get the committees already being handled by the incumbents. (Editor: Abe Cerojano)

READ: Sotto confirms conflict over committee chairmanships