Veteran bloc to back Sotto for SP

Ruling himself out as a contender for the Senate presidency, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday revealed that the veteran bloc” in the chamber will support the bid of returning Sen. Vicente Sotto III for the top Senate post.

- By GILBERT BAYORAN

"I am for a leader of the Senate who will keep protecting the integrity and traditions of the Senate. I don't want a Senate leader who will be a dictatorial type. I don't want us to be similar to the other chamber, where it is only one emperor who dictates all the instructions to the members of the body," Zubiri said in a press briefing held in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

According to Zubiri, the "veteran bloc" consists of himself, returning Senators Panfilo Lacson and Sotto as well as Sen. Loren Legarda.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the Senate's current leadership, Zubiri said he is also open to supporting other candidates for Senate president.

Zubiri noted that the Senate is currently facing numerous issues, tests and challenges.

"I think right now, there's a lot of people angry at the Senate," he said. "My worry is, one day, the Senate might lose its relevance. People will just say, abolish the Senate. Once we lose relevance, the people will no longer want us, no longer need us. That is a failure on our part as senators." Zubiri was ousted as Senate president during the 19th Congress and was replaced by Francis Escudero.

Sen. Joel Villanueva disclosed on Monday that Escudero appears to have the support of at least 13 senators.

"He (Escudero) may have it, but I am 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 - but not just independent from the House (of Representatives)," Villanueva said.

Senators' bills filed

While discussions on the Senate presidency are shaping alliances and leadership preferences, senators have simultaneously begun to outline their respective policy agendas as the 20th Congress opens.