16-07-2025
Risa joining veterans' bloc? Tito Sotto says, ‘The more, the merrier'
'The more the merrier! She is more than welcome. Her integrity and reputation will always be an asset to the Senate,' Sotto said in a Viber message to reporters.
Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Wednesday welcomed the pronouncement of Senator Risa Hontiveros that she was open to the possibility of joining the five-man "veterans bloc" at the Senate.
'The more the merrier! She is more than welcome. Her integrity and reputation will always be an asset to the Senate,' Sotto said in a Viber message to reporters.
The so-called veterans bloc of the upper chamber is composed of Sotto and Senators Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, and Lito Lapid. They are pushing for the reinstatement of Sotto as Senate president, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
Despite considering herself a veteran lawmaker, Hontiveros emphasized that her final decision on which bloc to join will be revealed on July 28, when the 20th Congress begins its first regular session.
"I have to be open to all possibilities na consistent doon sa gusto kong pagpapalakas ng oposisyon para sa 2028 and beyond," she said.
(I have to be open to all possibilities that are consistent with my goal to strengthen the opposition for 2028 and beyond.)
The lady senator previously said that she is considering forming or joining an independent bloc in the next Congress, explaining that it is 'more realistic' to do so, considering the numbers.
Zubiri had floated the possibility of the veterans bloc forming the Senate minority bloc in the 20th Congress. Legarda, meanwhile, said the bloc has yet to decide whether it will be in the minority. –NB, GMA Integrated News
