PNoy aware of party mates’ move to join majority coalition in Congress –Coloma

President Benigno Aquino III was consulted by Liberal Party stalwarts Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. on their move to join the majority coalition in both houses of Congress, Malacañang said Thursday.

“According to Sec. Florencio Abad, Speaker Belmonte and Senate President Drilon consulted with the President on the matter of what position to take with respect to the election of the incoming leaders of Congress,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a text message.

Belmonte and Drilon, both outgoing leaders of Congress, sits as vice chairmen of the ruling LP, with Aquino as chairman.

Drilon earlier said that Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will be elected Senate President in the 17th Congress. Pimentel is a party mate of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte under PDP-Laban.

"We have the support of 16 or 17 senators. Last night we met and had that agreement. The president of the incoming Senate will be Aquilino Pimentel. I will be the Senate Pro-Tempore and Sotto will be the majority leader," Drilon said.

The PDP-Laban had also claimed the “super majority” status at the House of Representatives with the backing of Belmonte.

Belmonte earlier flew to Davao City to meet with Duterte and presumptive House Speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

In an earlier interview, Aquino said he fully understands the decision of some of his party mates to jump ship to the ruling political party.

“Tatandaan natin bawat kinatawan, siyempre kumakatawan ka lang sa isang distrito, ikaw ‘yung kanilang kinatawan at kailangan pangalagaan mo ‘yung interes ng iyong sinasakupan,” Aquino said. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK, GMA News