Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III assured yesterday that he is ready to yield his position even if seven senators would call for a change in leadership.
Sotto said that though he assumes he has solidified his position as Senate President in the upcoming 18th Congress, he has no problem relinquishing his post if any of his colleagues are able to muster 13 votes to get the post.
“Tayo naman walang problema kung mayroong senador na makakuha ng 13 votes at siya ay iuupo as Senate president at papalitan ako,” Sotto said.
“It’s up to them. Hindi tayo, hindi ako, ika nga, kapit-tuko. Pakita mo sa akin ‘yung seven signatures mo at ako ay madaling mag re-resign. Ibibigay kaagad natin iyon. You always serve at the pleasure of the majority,” he said.
As far as Sotto is concerned, he said he believes he has the support of the majority of his colleagues for him to retain his post in the next Congress. Sotto needs the support of 13 out of 24 senators in order to retain his Senate leadership post in the 18th Congress.
Sotto said even the minority senators are supportive of him being the Senate leader.
“Oo nga, mga kaibigan natin sila,” Sotto pointed out. “Binibiro nga ako ni Frank nung una, sabi niya, ‘Gusto sana namin bumoto sa iyo kaya lang maabolish ang minority. Nagbibiro si Frank ng ganun,” the Senate leader added, referring to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. (Hannah L. Torregoza)