Risa eyes independent bloc if Duterte allies in Senate become minority

Senator Risa Hontiveros has no plans of being in one group with senators allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte who branded themselves as the "opposition" to the Marcos administration.

During the Kapihan sa Senado on Wednesday, Hontiveros said that if the Duterte-allied senators would establish themselves as the minority bloc in the 20th Congress, her "plan B" is to form an "independent bloc" with her political allies namely, senators-elect Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.

Hontiveros said she is "sure" of the probable scenario that there would be two groups that will seek to be the minority bloc in the upcoming Congress.

"Wala po akong planong sumali sa isang Duterte bloc (I have no plans of joining a Duterte bloc)," she said.

"Kung makukuha nila 'yung label ng minority, may option pa rin po ako or kami kung mag-decision po kami na isang independent bloc na magpapatuloy talaga sa pag-check and balance, magpapatuloy sa pag-fiscalize, at pati sa labas ng Senado, magpapatuloy sa pagbubuo ng oposisyon—, pareho sa Duterte at sa kina Presidente (Marcos)… As in everything sa pag-organize ng Senate, it's a matter of numbers," she added.

(If they get the label of minority, I or we still have the option to form an independent block that will continue doing the checks and balances, continue fiscalizing, even outside of the Senates, and push forward with forming an opposition [like the senators who are allied] with Duterte, and with the President... As in everything related to organizing in the Senate, it's a matter of numbers.)

According to Hontiveros, no one has talked to her about the Senate presidency yet.

"They haven't talked to us as a group. They haven't talked to me individually… Wala rin text message. Pero take note, ang minority, kahit 'pag hindi kinakausap, nagsasalita," she said.

(They haven't talked to us as a group. They haven't talked to me individually... No text messages at all. But take note, the minority speaks even if no one is talking to them.)

Impeachment trial

In the same press conference, Hontiveros vowed to maintain neutrality and objectivity in voting during the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte.

The senator made the remark despite her previous heated exchange and criticism of the Vice President's handling of her offices' confidential and intelligence funds.

"Basta impeachment, neutrality of a senator-judge, judging on the basis of the evidence. Gan'un lang. Na-distill na to its essence. And that's it. That's my message to anyone, even to her," she said.

(As long as it's about impeachment, it should show the neutrality of a senator-judge judging on the basis of evidence. That's all. Distilled to it essence. And that's it. That's my message to anyone, even to her.)

In response to the Vice President saying she wants a "bloodbath" on her impeachment trial, Hontiveros said this term is not in her "vocabulary."

"Bilang senator-judge, wala naman sa bokabularyo ko para sa impeachment 'yung ganyang salita (As a senator-judge, those words are not in my vocabulary related to impeachment). But as I said, and I am committed just to have that neutrality demanded of judges, and in particular in the case of impeachment of senator-judges," she said.

"The only vocabulary that matters sa impeachment ay… 'yung neutrality and 'yung pagiging senator-judge and voting on the basis of the evidence," she pointed out.

(The only vocabulary that matters during impeachment is the neutrality and the senator judge voting on the basis of evidence.)

PrimeWater deal

Meanwhile, Hontiveros is seeking the launch of the Senate probe into PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s services in June.

"Pag-resume namin sa Hunyo, inaasahan kong ma-refer siya sa proper committee. And like every other resolution, ifa-follow up ko sa chair na ma-schedule nila ng pagdinig. Kahit isang hearing lang muna ngayong patapos na 19th Congress," she said.

(When we resume session in June, I trust it would be referred tot the proper committee. And like every other resolution, I will follow it up with the chair so that the hearing can be scheduled now that the 19th Conress is lemonning.)

Asked if it felt awkward to investigate a corporation that is close to the Villars, Hontiveros said, "Mas awkward kung hindi kumilos ang Senate doon (It's more awkward if the Senate doesnt take action on this.)"

Hontiveros clarified that it will not only be PrimeWater that will be investigated, but also the two other water concessionaires over the problems in their services.

PrimeWater is owned by the Villar family. There are two Villars in the current Congress, namely Senator Mark Villar and her mother, outgoing Senator Cynthia Villar.

Senator-elect Camille Villar will replace her mother Cynthia, and she will join her brother Mark in the 20th Congress. — VDV, GMA Integrated News