Bam, Kiko likely to join Senate majority – Jinggoy

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan are likely to join the Senate majority in the 20th Congress, with expectations that they will chair the committees on education and on agriculture, respectively, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday.

In an interview with dwIZ, Estrada said “malamang (very likely)” when asked if Aquino had thrown his support behind Senate President Francis Escudero’s bid to retain his leadership in the chamber.

About the stand of Pangilinan about joining the majority, Estrada said: “Yes, I think so.”

Aquino and Pangilinan had been mum on their alignment within the chamber despite anticipation that they would join Sen. Risa Hontiveros in an “independent bloc” within the chamber.

The STAR has sought reactions from Aquino and Pangilinan to Estrada’s remarks but received no response. Hontiveros has also been asked for comment but said she won’t give one until the two confirm their alignment.

Hontiveros had repeatedly said she was hopeful the three of them at least could be in an independent bloc.

Estrada said it’s possible that lawmakers who have committed to support Escudero are aware of the likely committee assignments under his leadership.

“Well, I don’t know if they have already talked with Sen. Chiz. I’m not really sure about it but more or less the committees they want will be theirs,” he said.

“Like for example, Sen. Mark Villar. He was a public works secretary so it’s likely he’ll get the public works committee. And Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s forte is agriculture, so it’s possible he will get the committee on agriculture. That’s how it works,” Estrada added.

Estrada declined to comment when asked if Escudero had already secured support from the Duterte bloc, amid earlier reports that Sen. Imee Marcos was keen on throwing her hat into the Senate presidency race to represent senators allied with the Duterte family. “I am not in a position to answer that,” he said.

But when asked if the Duterte-aligned group had already joined the Escudero-led bloc given the reported 13-vote majority, Estrada replied: “Well, most probably.”

Estrada confirmed he remains supportive of Escudero’s leadership and said he helped Escudero whip up votes.

He clarified that the so-called “veteran bloc” led by former Senate President Tito Sotto would not automatically fall under the minority.

“That’s not the case. Maybe, they still have to vote who among them can be minority leader. It’s not automatic,” Estrada explained. “Or they can join the majority. We welcome them of course.”