Sotto optimistic on next Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III remains optimistic that the chamber would be able to perform its mandate with independence despite the possible entry of President Duterte, who filed his certificate of candidacy for senator.

Sotto, who is graduating as senator and running for vice president, issued the statement when asked about the prospect of Duterte in the Senate along with his close allies.

“I’m optimistic that the Senate’s independence will be preserved gauging on the possible winners whom I know personally,” Sotto said.

Duterte has anywhere between four to six on his side in the current Senate, including Sen. Bong Go, his former aide who is now seeking the presidency.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a close ally, earlier raised the prospect of Duterte becoming the Senate president.

Duterte has been attacking the Senate over its investigation into the P42-billion corruption scandal under his administration involving the procurement of COVID-19 supplies.

He has ordered his Cabinet to not attend the hearings. The Senate is set to question the President’s directive before the Supreme Court.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros warned Duterte, if he wins a seat in the Senate, not to “dare stifle the potential of the Senate to fiscalize” and should not use the post to evade possible prosecution for alleged misdeeds.

“The President’s brand of authoritarianism will never be the new normal and will not infect the Senate as an institution,” Hontiveros said. – Alexis Romero, Pia Lee-Brago