New Senate majority bloc holds first caucus

The new Senate majority bloc on Monday held its first caucus or meeting, a week after Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III replaced Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as Senate President. 

In a photo shared by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri to members of the media, 12 out of 15 members of the majority bloc were seen together over lunch. 

Aside from Sotto and Zubiri, present in the photo were Senate President Pro Tempora Ping Lacson and Senators Loren Legarda, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Win Gatchalian, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, and Mark Villar. 

“1st Majority caucus with a delicious lunch care of Sen Loren. Mabuhay ang Senado (love live the Senate),” Zubiri told reporters. 

Zubiri said that Senators Lito Lapid and Pia Cayetano would catch up with the meeting, while Senator Camille Villar is currently on maternity leave. 

Cayetano’s office later told GMA News Online that the lady senator was no longer able to join the lunch meeting. Lapid’s office, on the other hand, has yet to respond. 

Meanwhile, Hontiveros’ office said that the meeting was held “amid recent reports of an alleged coup move from the minority seeking to challenge the Senate leadership.”

Lacson on Sunday refuted that there will be another leadership change at the Senate, describing the claim as “malevolent, underhanded, foul, and desperate.”

Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta—who are both members of the new 9-man minority bloc — had also dismissed such allegations on Monday. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News