Kiko, Bam joining Senate majority? Hontiveros unfazed; Go sees no issue

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has acknowledged the possibility that Senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan - whom she endorsed in the last elections - may join the Senate majority bloc.

“Hindi ko pa sigurado kung mag-iisa ako o hindi. Pero kung anuman, basta maninindigan ako [I’m not sure yet if I’ll be alone or not. But whatever happens, I will stand my ground],” Hontiveros told reporters on Wednesday, July 9.

She said it is up to Aquino and Pangilinan to respond to reports that they are aligning with the bloc backing Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s bid to retain the chamber’s top post, which would place them in the majority.

Earlier, Hontiveros, Aquino, and Pangilinan confirmed they were discussing their plans for the 20th Congress.

“Ang bawat isa naman sa amin ay responsable at accountable sa aming mga desisyon [Each of us is responsible and accountable for our own decisions],” Hontiveros said.

“Hindi ako nahu-hurt dahil, yun na nga eh, sabi ko nga, basta patuloy akong maninindigan. Kung ang bawat isa sa amin ay may sariling diskarte, ako rin naman po, basta nakatutok pa rin ako dun sa layunin na palakasin yung oposisyon, hindi lang sa loob, pati sa labas ng Senado,” she added.

[Translation: I’m not hurt because, as I’ve said, I will continue to stand my ground. If each of us has our own strategy, so do I - I remain focused on the goal of strengthening the opposition, not just inside but also outside the Senate.]

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada earlier said Aquino and Pangilinan are now likely to support Escudero. He said both have been offered their preferred committee chairmanships - education for Aquino, and agriculture for Pangilinan.

Neither Aquino nor Pangilinan has issued a statement.

The Senate will elect its new president when the 20th Congress opens its first regular session on July 28. Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a contender for the post, has said he would be open to becoming Minority Leader if he does not win - a role earlier eyed by Hontiveros.

Admitting she may not have the numbers, Hontiveros said she is open to joining an independent bloc or serving as an independent senator.

Duterte bloc reacts

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, one of the seven members of the Duterte bloc, said he sees no problem working with Aquino and Pangilinan, despite their opposition to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

“Para sa bayan [For the country], why not?” Go said.

He added that he spoke with Aquino during their proclamation as senators in May and expressed willingness to cooperate on key issues.

“Sabi ko kung ano makakatulong sa education, magtulungan tayo. Kung ano makakatulong sa health, ano makakatulong para sa bayan, magtulungan tayo,” Go said.

[Translation: I said, if it helps the education sector, let’s work together. If it helps health, if it helps the country, let’s work together.]

“Ganun naman dito, ang pagkaalam ko rito, hindi naman porket magkaiba kayo ng partido, ay magkasalungat na yung mga prayoridad ninyo. Tandaan natin dito, interes ng bayan, interes ng Pilipino ang dapat nating unahin,” he added.

[Translation: That’s how it works here, as far as I know - just because you belong to different parties doesn’t mean your priorities are automatically in conflict. Let’s remember, the interest of the country and the Filipino people should come first.]

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, another Duterte ally, took a more reserved stance.

“I don’t know ano magiging setup niyan [what the setup would be],” Dela Rosa said.

“Basta I joined the majority not because of them but because of the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero,” he added.