Senate veterans form ‘conscience bloc’ opposing Escudero, vow to uphold rules

Metro Manila, Philippines - Four seasoned lawmakers have formed a bloc in the Senate backing Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s bid for the leadership and vowing to uphold the chamber’s rules and procedures.

Sotto and Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri confirmed that their group includes fellow veterans Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Loren Legarda. Lacson, Sotto’s running mate in the 2022 elections, has openly expressed support for Sotto’s return to the top post. Legarda, meanwhile, has not made any public announcement.

Zubiri called the group “veterans bloc,” while Sotto said Lacson prefers to describe it as the “conscience bloc.”

“As seasoned legislators, we can make sure that rules and procedures in the Senate are strictly followed in line with the Constitution. We can also make sure that fiscal policy passing through the Senate will be clean and transparent for the benefit of the country and our people,” Sotto said in a statement on Friday, July 4.

Zubiri, in a separate interview earlier this week, voiced dissatisfaction with the leadership style of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who replaced him after a power shake-up in May 2024.

“I am for a leader of the Senate who will keep protecting the integrity, the traditions of the Senate. Hindi ko iyang gusto na ang leader sa Senate would be a dictatorial type,” Zubiri said.

”I'm not satisfied with the leadership of the Senate,” he added.

Zubiri recalled that during his time as Senate leader, he practiced consultative leadership by holding caucuses to peacefully resolve issues internally.

“I do not let all the discussions be on the floor because making it come out on the floor and fighting it out there shows a very chaotic Senate,” he said.

Escudero, in contrast, has been criticized for refusing to call all-senators caucuses, preferring to debate matters openly on the floor — even on sensitive issues such as the conflicting views surrounding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“And so I am praying that we have new leadership in the Senate. So I'm supportive of our group,” Zubiri said.

“And we're, of course, initially we were pushing for Senator Sotto as the Senate president,” he added.

Zubiri was majority leader when Sotto was Senate president during the Duterte administration.

A number of senators have said Escudero has already secured majority support — or at least 13 votes — to retain his post. The leadership election is expected to take place when the 20th Congress opens on July 28.

Sotto described the outcome as still “unpredictable,” adding that what happens for the rest of the year is another story.

“The leadership only serves at the pleasure of the senators. It could change anytime,” he said.

Sotto earlier said he’s willing to serve as minority leader if he’s not elected Senate President.

Zubiri said he remains hopeful.

“Many, of course, gossips are coming up stating that Senate President Escudero has 13 votes, 13 signatures. He may have the 13 signatures, but I'm hoping and praying that at the end of the day, we all decide to have a Senate president that will continue its independence as a last bastion of democracy,” Zubiri said.