Sotto says Pimentel to get 3 committee chairs, CA seat

After losing the Senate leadership, former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III may get three committee chairmanships and a seat in the influential Commission on Appointments (CA).

Pimentel’s successor, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, revealed this during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

Aside from the Senate committee on trade and industry, Sotto said he would like to give Pimentel his chairmanship of the committee on ethics.

“And there are two other committees that we are eyeing,” the new Senate leader said but refused to name the panels until the possible changes are discussed with the current chairmen of the committees.

But Sotto said only one of two committees could be given to Pimentel.

He said the former leader was also elected to replace Senator Manny Pacquiao in the CA.

Aside from the committee on trade and industry, Pimentel was also elected chair of the joint congressional oversight committee on automated elections but Sotto said the latter was not considered a standing committee in the Senate.

Sotto stressed that the committee chairmanships given and being eyed for Pimentel were not a concession.

“Hindi, no. We didn’t talk about it. We didn’t talk about the chairmanships of the committees when we’re discussing the change of leadership,” he said. /jpv

READ: Sotto is new Senate President