Sotto Sees Close Senate Presidency Fight Between Zubiri, Escudero

The race for the Senate presidency is a close fight between Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Francis Escudero, outgoing Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Saturday, May 21.

In an interview over radio dwIZ, Sotto said if Zubiri and Escudero could muster the support of more than 13 of the 24 senators, or the simple majority in the Senate, either of them will be able to get the leadership of the Upper Chamber.

Sotto maintained that senators who will compose the 19th Congress would surely want a Senate president who is independent-minded.

“I think so,” Sotto said when asked whether the race between Zubiri and Escudero for Senate president would be a close fight. “I think if they can form a majority, either Migz (Zubiri) or Chiz (Escudero).”

Sotto and Escudero are both members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), while Zubiri ran as an independent in the May 9 elections.

“I know my group is already solid. There’s still a bonus as we can have in our group Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel. Although I heard Koko wants to be in the minority,” Sotto added.

Sotto added that they can also recruit in their group Sen. Nancy Binay, veteran Sen. Loren Legarda, and neophyte Sen. Raffy Tulfo.

“They (senators) can form a majority and it is up to them who they want to be the next Senate president,” Sotto added.

Aside from Zubiri and Escudero, Sen. Cynthia Villar and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian were also reportedly interested to become the Senate president in the 19th Congress.

Sotto said he is hopeful that the Senate in the 19th Congress will still be independent-minded just like the 17th and the 18th Congresses.

“My pattern is the Senate is independent-minded, critical if necessary but if support is needed, give it if it’s for the people,” Sotto added in Filipino.

On the possibility of a supermajority in the Senate, Sotto said that the Senate has never been a rubber stamp and can still maintain its independence if the next Senate president and the Senate majority leader will manage to balance the scale.

“If the Senate president and majority leader are independent-minded, even if it is a supermajority, supermajority in the Senate is not supermajority for the administration. The House of Representatives is different from the Senate. Not necessarily pro-admin all the way and a rubber stamp. I don’t remember a Senate as a rubber stamp, even president-elect Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos knows that,” Sotto pointed out.

NPC for Chiz?

When asked if the NPC would support Escudero’s bid for the Senate presidency, Sotto said that is a possibility.

“That could happen. As a matter of fact, the NPC will have a fellowship meeting (Saturday afternoon, May 21) at 6 p.m. and almost all members and leaders are invited. We can talk during the fellowship and discuss our plans,” Sotto added.

Sotto said the NPC has already discussed the issue on the House speakership and most NPC members are willing to support Marcos’ cousin, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

A veteran lawmaker, Sotto, who had served as a senator since 1992, suggested a strategy to senators eyeing the Senate presidency.

“He (Escudero) has been there (in the Senate) long enough. Just in case, our suggestion to each other is to form a large group that will exceed 13 senators and they will choose from them,” Sotto added.

Sotto admitted that it is too early to talk about the Senate presidency, noting that the matter will be clear by July 1 or after they formally assume office.