Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) — As lawmakers open the second regular session of the 19th Congress, the two-member minority bloc of the Senate shared what is next for them.
On Monday’s opening of the new session, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel told reporters “more minority work, more vigilance” can be expected from the opposition.
Asked if there will be additional members in the minority during the second regular session, Pimentel said: “Wala ang pinaka-logical recruit namin eh blood relative ng presidente, baka hindi namin ma-recruit.”
[Translation: Our most logical recruit is a blood relative of the president, whom we may not be able to recruit at all.]
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the brother of Senator Imee Marcos.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said there have been preparations in the past year to hopefully add more members in the minority bloc during the midterm elections in 2025.
“Malakas ang fighting spirit bagama’t magte-term out ang minority leader ko sa 2025, hindi ako mananatiling mag-isa dito dahil balak po namin sa oposisyon magdagdag ng minority senators sa midterm elections,” she told reporters.
[Translation: We have a strong fighting spirit even if my minority leader will term out on 2025, I will not be left alone here because we in the opposition plan to add more minority members in the midterm elections.]
Despite being outnumbered, Hontiveros cited the achievements by the minority, like releasing its own report on the controversial Sugar Order no. 4 that permitted the entry of 300,000 metric tons of the sweetener; remembering the fall of martial law which was during the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos’ time; interventions against improper confidential and intelligence funds of some government agencies in the 2023 budget; and interventions against the Maharlika Investment Fund Act.
Hontiveros also said the minority can still hold on with five years remaining under the Marcos administration.
“Talagang magpapatuloy ang Senate minority to take full advantages of the space na bukas sa isang institusyon tulad ng sa Senado,” she said.
[Translation: The Senate minority will continue to tale full advantages of the space opened by institutions like the Senate.]
