Nene Pimentel won’t serve as adviser to son Koko

Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said Monday that he would not serve as an adviser to his son, newly-elected Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

“Hindi (ako magiging adviser) kasi merong bayad yun, di ba,” the older Pimentel said in jest when reporters asked him.

“(I will give him advice) only in general terms because I want him to earn the respect of the people on his own, not because he is my son,” he added.

He said he was proud of what Koko has become and at the same time, humbled by the thought that his colleagues have seen fit to elect his son as Senate President.

“That is a humbling thought for a father who have seen his son grow hoping that he would be of service to the people,” he said.

He believed that it was the first time a father and son both became Senate President. Nene Pimentel served as Senate President from 2000 to 2001. 

Pimentel said that aside from the historical significance, what is more important is for Koko to perform well.

“In the sense that it is the first time it has happened, but that is not the most important thing. The most important thing is for Koko to perform well for the good of the people and even as he is identified with the administration, to see to it that the laws, policies that will be defined by Senate will always uphold the  general welfare of our people,” he said.  — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News