Senators Looking for Leaders Who Will Maintain Independence

As questions loom over the fate of Sen. Francis Escudero as Senate President, newly proclaimed senators are intent on finding a leader who will uphold the independence of the upper chamber.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

Returning senator Panfilo Lacson said he is in talks with 13 incumbent and incoming senators, all aiming "to have an independent, credible and transparent Senate in the 20th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines." "We will emphasize these three, whoever we support," Lacson told reporters at the sidelines of the proclamation of the 12 winning senators yesterday at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who won a fresh six-year term, said Duterte-backed senators have yet to discuss who will be their bet for the Senate presidency.

He said he and Senators Robin Padilla, Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar and Rodante Marcoleta "are not ambitious enough" to aspire to be the leader of the chamber.