An emerging majority under Senator Francis Escudero in the 20th Congress will bring together allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, opposition lawmakers endorsed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, and all four sets of sibling-senators in the chamber, Senator JV Ejercito said Tuesday.
Duterte’s allies in the new bloc include Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, and Imee Marcos. The lawmakers backed by Hontiveros are Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
Also part of the coalition are the Senate’s sibling pairs: Ejercito and Senator Jinggoy Estrada; Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano; Senators Raffy and Erwin Tulfo; and Senators Mark and Camille Villar.
Ejercito said that it’s common in the Senate for lawmakers to cross party lines to support legislation that benefits the public.
“We cross party lines in the Senate as long as we focus on the issues and measures that will really be beneficial. Party colors are often set aside. We should be colorblind and simply support what’s good for the people,” he said.
He believes Escudero already has the numbers to secure the Senate presidency. He estimated that Escudero currently has the support of 13 to 16 senators.
“But as they say, until it’s formalized and the first regular session begins, nothing is guaranteed. If the vote happened tomorrow, I think Senator Chiz would still be elected as Senate President,” Ejercito said.
He dismissed the idea that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte played a role in the selection of the next Senate leader.
“I don’t think so. Escudero’s advantage is that he’s already the incumbent. When you’re sitting as Senate President, you already have the support of nearly half of the chamber, and you only need to convince a few more,” he explained.
“Regardless of our position on impeachment, we’ll deal with it as it comes. I don’t believe it has anything to do with choosing the Senate President.”
Ejercito described Escudero as a consensus builder who prefers to engage individual blocs instead of holding a general caucus.
“Senator Chiz believes in transparency and prefers debates to be held on the Senate floor. He said it’s better to deliberate in real time than to rely solely on private caucuses,” he added.
Ejercito said he expects to be named Senate deputy majority leader, while his brother Jinggoy Estrada is likely to retain his post as Senate President Pro Tempore under Escudero’s leadership.
He also rejected Senator Migs Zubiri’s claim that senators are hesitant to reinstall former Senate President Vicente Sotto III due to his strict leadership style.
“I don’t think it’s about Senator Sotto being strict. From what I remember, he was easy to work with,” Ejercito said.
He noted that committee assignments and chairmanships are already being discussed, with considerations for lawmakers’ advocacy work and expertise.
He admitted, however, that committee positions are still a significant factor in selecting the Senate President.
