Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III revealed on Wednesday that he would enthusiastically lead the Senate minority leadership post and discuss the issue with opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros before the opening of the 19th Congress.
However, Pimentel said he would wait for the incoming senators who will join the majority bloc to adjust their ranks first before the minority bloc discusses their plans.
Koko Pimentel had previously said that he was inclined to join the minority bloc. Hontiveros, on the other hand, became a member of the Senate minority bloc and won a reelection bid last May 2022 senatorial polls.
“Pabayaan namin ang majority, magbuo muna kayo. Kasi ang hindi sasali sa kanila will be the minority. Then we organize ourselves. Tingnan namin,” Pimentel said during Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual forum.
“Ewan ko kay Risa pero mag-uusap kami ni Risa. Alam naman din ni Risa na una sa lahat abogado ako. Number two, siyempre Senate rules are involved,” he said.
“Naging Senate president din naman ako. I dealt with the Senate rules, and then number three, mas matanda ako sa kanya. So, dagdag mo na yon,” Koko Pimentel added.
Koko Pimentel wants to lead Senate minority bloc
As part of the incoming Senate minority bloc, Pimentel said he would make sure there were checks and balances in the Upper Chamber. He promised to monitor whether Senate rules are followed by a majority, whether bills tabled are consistent with the 1987 Constitution and whether Senate time is spent on urgent matters and measures.
“I want to be sure that structurally, there would be a segment of the Senate which will check the greater majority. But when I say ‘checks,’ it doesn’t mean we will always be on the opposite side,” the senator noted.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara revealed that Sen. Pia Cayetano and presumptive Senator Alan Peter Cayetano are open to joining the Senate minority bloc in the 19th Congress.
“I think they are also open to being in the minority bloc,” said Angara.
Like Koko Pimentel, Angara said he believes no one will dictate to the incoming senator.
“He’s been speaker of the House, he’s been a majority leader. So I don’t think he will be dictated upon by anyone. He’s clearly one of the most independent senators I know,” said Angara.
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