Pimentel: 2 groups crucial in race for Senate chief

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Apparently he is no Team Cayetano.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday recognized the ability of Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Vicente Sotto III to form a new Senate majority in the incoming 17th Congress.

Asked on the Senate presidential race where he is vying for it along with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Drilon and Sotto, Pimentel said there were “two very organized groups in the Senate” as he proceeded to name the groups of Drilon and Sotto.

“I don’t think a majority can be formed without talking to this two very organized groups and I congratulate them for being organized,” he told reporters.

Asked on what seemed to be a critical competition between him and Cayetano for the Senate presidency since both of them were allies of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, Pimentel said they have a “style” of their own in doing things.

He said the Senate has to be reorganized by July 25 when the new Congress starts its session and thus, there was enough time for senators to form the new majority.

Choosing the best

This as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said he was talking with Drilon and Sotto and that along with other senators, “we are choosing who is best to lead the Senate.”

“I believe either of them can lead the Senate,” Trillanes told reporters on Wednesday, referring to Drilon and Sotto.

Drilon remains as Senate president on July 25 if contenders to his post will be unable to muster the support of 13 senators to form a new majority.

Drilon had said he has the support of seven senators, mostly Liberal Party members and only needed to coalesce with six more senators to keep his position.

Sotto, on the other hand, had said he had the “solid” support of nine senators, and was now in talks with 17 senators, including Pimentel.

Cayetano, for his part, said he had the commitment of 15 senators to his bid for the Senate leadership. So far, Senators Cynthia Villar and Manny Pacquiao had openly declared support for Cayetano.