Undaunted Sotto says alleged coup plot against him just an idea that 'fizzled out'

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said he is not bothered by rumors of alleged attempts to oust him as head of the chamber, saying he serves at the pleasure of his colleagues.

“I actually brushed it aside and I said I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, you can replace me anytime with 13 signatures,” Sotto said in a virtual interview after the Senate’s opening of the 3rd Regular Session of the 18th Congress.

“Siguro merong nakaisip, pagkatapos ‘di naman natuloy, nag-fizzle out siguro [Maybe someone came up with the idea, but it did not push through then it eventually fizzled out],” he added.

Sotto disclosed that he was approached by Senators Bong Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, both close allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, to clarify that they were not involved in the alleged plot.

He likewise said he believes the four-man Senate minority wil not  rally their colleagues to oust him.

“What I can confirm is that there was a report to that effect. That’s what it is, I cannot really say that the attempt was there. Maybe it was an idea. At most, it was an idea,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

In another interview, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said there were no senators who asked him to sign any resolution to replace Sotto as Senate president.

“Walang lumapit sa akin nung break for any resolution or any move to oust Sotto, narinig ko lang yung balita na yun through the staff,” he said.

(No one approached me during the break asking me too sign a resolution or support any move to oust Sotto. I only heard it through the staff.)

“But the [Senate] president still has the trust and confidence of the majority and even he has the love and trust of the minority, the minority leader and the senate president are very close,” he added.

Zubiri also appealed to his colleagues to halt any talks about leadership change in the Senate as he underscored that they need to prioritize passing bills that will address the pandemic and its adverse economic effects. —KBK, GMA News