Hontiveros confirms talks with Pimentel, other senators regarding minority bloc

Reelected opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday confirmed ongoing talks with Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and other incoming 19th Congress senators about the organization of the next minority bloc.

"Kaming dalawa pa lang po ang nakapag-usap para at least pagtibayin 'yung aming talagang direksyon patungo sa pagbubuo ng minorya," Hontiveros said in an interview over Unang Balita when asked if she and Pimentel had already discussed the minority bloc leadership.

(We both talked about ways to strengthen our direction towards forming the minority bloc.)

Recently, Pimentel, who already expressed intent to join the minority bloc, said he will discuss with Hontiveros the issue of leadership of the group of senators who are not inclined to join the Senate majority bloc prior to the opening of the 19th Congress.

Asked if there is already a possible Senate minority leader in the next Congress, Hontiveros said there are no final talks yet with regard to the leadership of the group, adding that her utmost priority is to organize the minority.

She also disclosed ongoing talks with other senators with regard to their possible inclusion in the minority bloc.

"May ilan pa po kaming kinakausap para mag-explore ng posibilidad ng magdagdag sila, idagdag nila ang sarili nila sa minorya pero very, very early stages pa lang. Kay Senator Koko pa lang ang maike-kwento ko sa iyo na nakapag-usap kami but in the next few months patungo po sa susunod na opening session of 19th Congress at siyempre 'yung [State of the Nation Address], mas mabubuo na po iyon," she added.

(We have talked to some senators to explore the possibility of their inclusion to the minority bloc but the discussions are in its very early stages. I can only disclose my discussion with Senator Koko but in the next few months, I can talk more about it. Maybe, if we are already preparing for the opening of the sessions in the 19th Congress and of course before the SONA.)

On President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s appeal to pray for him as he takes the helm of the government, Hontiveros highlighted the importance of checks and balances in the system as this also produces refined pieces of legislation.

"Ang check and balance mula sa unang panahon ay kinilalang hindi nga hadlang, hindi pangontra lamang kundi isang esensyal na elemento ng anumang gobyerno, ng anumang lipunan, lalo na at pinaglalaban natin ang pagiging mas demokratiko pa ng ating bansa," she said.

(Checks and balances do not mean absolute opposition to what the government is pushing for. This is an essential element in any government, in any society, especially in a democratic country which we continue to advocate.)

"Kailangan 'yan sa Senado, kailangan 'yan sa gobyerno at sa lipunan natin at gaya nga ng nabanggit ko kanina, nitong nakaraang higit kalahating dekada na nasa minorya ako, nasaksihan ko at naging bahagi na aktibo sa checks and balances kami, aktibo sa pag-fiscalize, at the same time naging napaka-produktibo sa porma ng iba't ibang mga batas at nakikita ko na magandang ipagpatuloy iyon sa ilalim ng papasok na administrasyon dahil hindi naman iisa kundi diversed, iba-iba ang pananaw nating mga Pilipino, ng ating mga mamamayan at karapat-dapat lang na magkaroon ng representasyon ang mga ito para ibalik o ipagpatuloy at lalong higitan ang masisiglang debate para magbunga ng mahigit pang maayos na mga batas," she added.

(That is necessary in the Senate, in the government, and in society. Just like what I have mentioned earlier, in the past half decade that I'm with the minority and became an active fiscalizer, I witnessed how this helped in producing several laws and I believe that checks and balances should continue in the incoming administration because we should entertain not only one advocacy but a diverse perspective to ensure that everyone will have their representation. This will also maintain or even encourage necessary debates which will produce more refined laws for our country.)—AOL, GMA News