MANILA, Philippines - Senator Vicente Sotto III has stepped down from his post as Senate majority floor leader following the resignation of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
â€After the third reading scenarios, we will pass the resolution affirming the adjournment sine die and then I will submit my accomplishment report, I will inform the senate that I’m resigning as majority leader at the end of the 15th congress,†Sotto told the media.
Sotto cited various reasons for his resignation, including the stepping down of Enrile amid allegations that the latter misused the Senate funds when he authorized the unequal distribution of ‘cash gifts’ to senators last December.
†A lot of factors. First, I’m already exhausted. Perhaps also in sympathy of Senator Enrile,†Sotto said.
Sotto is a close ally of the former Senate President.
“I don’t think I can stop the time, effort, blood and sweat that I put in the last three years. So let’s leave it at that. As they were saying, quit while you’re ahead,†he added.
Sotto said his resignation will also pave the way for the new officers to be elected “so that they have not declared seats vacant in the coming 16th Congress.â€
He added that he would want to focus to his next role as member of the Senate minority.
â€It will be a diligent minority as diligent leadership that we provided in the 15th congress. No absence, no tardiness,†Sotto said.
Sotto said assistant majority leader Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II will take over when the 16th Congress opens on July 22.
Sotto is a member of the so-called "macho bloc" in the Senate, along with Enrile, Honasan and Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
The 15th Congress is also set to adjourn sine die on Thursday.