Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Loren Legarda is considering a return to the Senate majority bloc, said Senator Panfilo Lacson, adding she would be welcomed back should she decide to switch sides.
In an interview with DWIZ on Saturday, Lacson said the possibility of Legarda rejoining the majority has been discussed among some members of the bloc.
“Kung halimbawang gusto niyang sumanib sa majority, napag-uusapan namin ito. Hindi naman kami lahat pero small group o kaya kaming mayorya. Welcome naman siya,” Lacson said.
[Translation: If she wants to join the majority, we have discussed it. Not all of us, but within a small group or among members of the majority. She is welcome.]
“Welcome naman namin siya eh na bumalik,” he added.
[Translation: We would welcome her back.]
Lacson also said Legarda told him during a previous conversation that she made a mistake.
“Actually, ’yun nga ’yung nung huling usap namin, sabi niya hindi siya sinasagot ni Tito Sen pero sabi niya, inamin sa akin, nagkamali nga raw siya,” Lacson said.
“Sabi ko, ‘Kalimutan mo na ’yon. Tapos na ’yun.’”
[Translation: Actually, during our last conversation, she said Tito Sen (Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto) was not responding to her, but she admitted to me that she had made a mistake. I told her, “Forget about that. It’s over.”]
Lacson did not elaborate on what Legarda specifically described as a mistake during their conversation.
Legarda joined the bloc of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano during the leadership shake-up in May that removed Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as Senate president. Legarda became Senate president pro tempore under Cayetano, replacing Lacson.
Another leadership change followed in June, with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian becoming Senate president and the Cayetano group moving into the minority. Legarda later recognized the new Senate leadership.
Despite the discussions, Lacson said Legarda has not formally returned to the majority.
“But you know, may kasabihan nga, sinasabi ng mga British, ‘til the fat lady sings. Hanggang hindi nangyayari, hindi siya nasa majority, ’di ba?” Lacson said.
[Translation: But you know, as the saying goes, ‘til the fat lady sings.’ Until it actually happens, she is not in the majority, right?]
“So decision niya ’yon,” he added.
[Translation: “So that is her decision.”]
