Lacson to Sotto: Don't underestimate Senate minority bloc

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has advised Senate President Vicente Sotto III not to underestimate the minority bloc following a recent change in leadership in the chamber.

On Thursday, Lacson reminded Sotto that he represents the whole Senate and not only the majority bloc. 

“Sabi ko kay SP, 15 tayo 9 sila, ‘wag mo i-minus yung 9 and ang attitude ni SP, ‘wag natin balewalain kasi mga kapwa senador yan,” he said during the Kapihan sa Senado. 

(I told SP we are 15, they are 9. You should not underestimate the nine. That is also his attitude. He said we should not ignore them because they are our colleagues.)

“Ikaw, you are the SP of the entire Senate, of all the 23 other senators. He agreed. Ganyan naman talaga ang attitude niya. ‘Di pwede SP ka SP ka lang ng majority,” he said. 

(I told him he represents the Senate and not only the majority. He agreed. That’s his attitude.)

Lacson added: “Ito pa ang isang wina-warning, manipis ang 15 against 9, baka bukas makalawa ikaw naman ang kino-coup”. 

(We are also warning him of the thin line between 15 and 9. He may be ousted too.)

Sotto replaced Senator Francis Escudero as Senate president via 15-9 votes on Monday. The members of the new nine-man minority bloc are Senators Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News