7-Member Duterte Bloc Backs Escudero for SP

Senators within the Duterte bloc are backing Senate President Francis Escudero's bid to retain the chamber's top post, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Dela Rosa confirmed that he had signed the suspected 18-member "supermajority" bloc's resolution to retain Escudero as Senate President in the 20th Congress.

He could not confirm if the rest of the Duterte bloc had already done so.

Dela Rosa said all seven of them, which he called "Duter7," have committed to support Escudero.

Senators Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Mark and Camille Villar are part of the Duterte bloc.

Go said the bloc based their decision on who could help them most in pushing for priority programs.

Dela Rosa said their decision was not tied to any promised position or favor, as insinuated by other senators.

Go and Dela Rosa claimed that Escudero's stand on the possible conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte was not a factor in their decision to support him.

While they have yet to confirm if they have aligned themselves with the supermajority, Senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan would have to work with the Duterte bloc should they choose to.

Asked about this possibility, Dela Rosa said "I don't know what the setup would be. I joined the majority not because of them (Kiko and Bam), but because of Senate President Escudero."

Go said he was open to working with both senators despite their political differences.

Go recalled speaking with Aquino about collaborating to push education measures and programs.

Bam: I'm still independent

Aquino has clarified that he remains with the "independent bloc" amid claims that he betrayed the opposition to join the Senate majority bloc.