Incoming Sen. Tito Sotto Says “Conscience Bloc” To Ensure Senate Follows Rules
TITO SOTTO – The former Senate President revealed the members of the “conscience bloc” in the Senate in the 20th Congress.
Aside from the minority group, the so-called “blocs” are now expected in the Senate after several confirmations made by senators themselves. Presidential sister and reelected Sen. Imee Marcos previously expressed her plan to join the “Duterte bloc” in the 20th Congress.
The “Duterte bloc” is composed of senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Robin Padilla. Recently, incoming Sen. Tito Sotto also revealed that they will have the “conscience bloc”.
According to Sotto who previously expressed his openness to becoming the Senate president in the 20th Congress, their bloc will be composed of veteran senators who want to ensure that the Senate follows the rules and procedures stated under the Constitution.
Based on a report on Inquirer, incoming Sen. Tito Sotto revealed that it was fellow senator-elect Ping Lacson who coined the term “conscience bloc”. According to him, aside from him and Lacson, senators Loren Legarda and Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri are also members of the bloc.
“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.
Sen. Migz Zubiri has previously expressed support to incoming Sen. Tito Sotto for the Senate presidency. He cited the age and experience of the former Senate President as well as his loyalty to him. He was the majority leader during Sotto’s term as the chief of the chamber.
Sotto served as the Senate president in the 18th Congress. He was succeeded by Zubiri in the post but the latter resigned from office and was immediately replaced by Escudero.
According to Sen. Migz Zubiri, he is not satisfied with the leadership of Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, thus, even if Escudero allegedly has 13 votes already, he hopes for a new Senate president in the 20th Congress. It was Sen. Joel Villanueva who previously claimed that Escudero is poised to remain in his position as at least 13 senators support his lead.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero also previously admitted that he is open to leading the Senate again in the 20th Congress. However, aside from incoming Sen. Tito Sotto, presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos also claimed that there were allegedly senators who want her to be the Senate president.