Up to 16 senators back Chiz, says JV; Sotto leaves fate to colleagues
At a press conference, Ejercito said he was among the 15 to 16 senators who signed the resolution, which he said was circulated last month when the Congress was on break.
"Yes, because first of all, I'm part of the leadership being the deputy majority leader at present. So siguro (Maybe) as a courtesy and respect to Senate President Escudero, I have to stick it up with him," he said.
Ejercito, however, said that he was "torn" in choosing between Escudero and returning Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III because the latter is "very close" to him and is his partymate at the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).
He said that by backing Escudero's stay as head of the upper chamber, he may also be retained as the Senate deputy majority leader.
The senator also said that if their number reaches 18, Escudero will likely take the supermajority. So far, among who signed include the Cayetano, Villar, and Tulfo siblings, as well as his brother, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.
Estrada first confirmed Monday that there was a resolution circulating among senators to signify their support for Escudero as Senate president.
The 20th Congress will begin its first regular session on July 28, shortly ahead of the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Asked about the possibility of the Duterte bloc and Senators Bam Aquino and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan joining together to support Escudero, Ejercito said that "more often than not, we cross party lines at the Senate."
"You know in the Senate, it has been proven time and again na sa umpisa lang ang political party, it doesn't mean a lot. Especially with issues of national significance, we often than not, we cross party lines," he said.
"If we look at the issues, we look at the measures that will really be beneficial, nakakalimutan na natin ang kulay eh, dapat maging color blind tayo (we forget our political colors and we become color blind). And you just have to support if it will benefit the Filipino people," he added.
Ejercito, however, pointed out that anything can still happen once the 20th Congress begins session.
'Guilty as charged'
Meanwhile, Sotto clapped back at senators who are supposedly against his possible return as Senate president.
"Masyadong strikto?' Guilty as charged. I was brought up by the true statesmen of the 8th and 9th Congress where decency and following rules and procedures abound. If that disqualifies me from the Senate leadership, then so be it," Sotto said.
Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, a member of the so-called veterans bloc at the upper chamber, revealed Monday that he talked with some people who expressed apprehension with Sotto or Lacson becoming the next Senate president.
"There's a lot of…I have a lot of privilege information. 'Yung mga kumakausap sa akin na mga ganito. Hindi magandang pakinggan kaya hindi ko na lang babanggitin what are the reasons why they don't want Tito Sen, why they don't want Ping Lacson, masyadong strikto, masyadong ano. Kaya mahirap nang magsalita kasi ayaw ko naman maipit ang nagkukwento sa akin ng ganito," Zubiri earlier said.
(There's a lot of... I have a lot of privilege information. Some people talk to me and tell me things that are unpleasant to hear. I won't share the reasons why they don't want Tito Sen, why they don't want Ping Lacson. Too strict. Too whatever. It's hard to speak about it because I don't want these people to be put in a sensitive situation.)
Asked if he will continue pursuing Senate leadership despite the criticisms, Sotto said that he will just leave his fate to his colleagues.
"I leave it up to my colleagues. A senator is a senator even if you are not an officer and more importantly, you are well-versed in rules and procedures," Sotto told GMA News Online. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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