MANILA – Malacañang said it respects the looming leadership change in Senate.
“Nirerespeto naman namin ang karapatan ng mga senador na pumili ng kanilang pinuno so hindi po nanghihimasok ang Presidente at ang Palasyo diyan sa proseso bg pagpili ng bagong Senate President,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said on Friday.
At least 14 senators have signed a draft resolution supporting Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III to replace Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
Among them were senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Estrada, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan II, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Roque said Malacañang’s relationship with the Senate will remain secured after the change in its leadership.
“Ako naman po ay naniniwala at naniniwala ang Palasyo na kahit sino pong mahalal na Senate President – at ang balita po ay si Senator Tito Sotto ay napakalapit din pong alyado – wala pong magbabago sa malapit na samahan at kooperasyon na ngayon ay mayroon sa panig ng Senado at Malacañang,” Roque added.
For his part, Sotto said the Senate “has a special place in my heart.”
“I will not allow it to be degraded, trampled, attacked or unfairly criticized without responding fairly or violently if necessary,” he added./PN
