Hontiveros: 3 blocs in Senate possible in 20th Congress

Metro Manila, Philippines - Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday, May 21, it is possible that there would be three blocs in the Senate in the 20th Congress: majority, minority, and independent.

In the upcoming 20th Congress, six senators are allies of the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte and they may form the Duterte bloc, which claims that they are an opposition.

Hontiveros explained that if the Duterte bloc becomes the minority, she will be under an independent bloc.

“Probable. Kung ibang bloke ang makakuha ng title ng minority, magkakaroon talaga ng independent bloc,” she replied in a media forum when asked about the possibility of having three Senate blocs.

[Translation: It is probable to have three blocs. If another group would get the minority title, there would be an independent bloc.]

“Wala po akong planong sumali sa isang [I do not have any plans in joining a] Duterte bloc,” she noted.

Hontiveros also hoped that she would be together in one bloc with her allies Senators-elect Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, adding they have not yet discussed the matter.

Among the issues that the Senate would work on in the 20th Congress is the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court to launch the trial in July with senators sitting as judges.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.