Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, August 26 insisted that her stance on the issue on who should be the minority leader in the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) stemmed from the need to uphold principles of checks and balances in a democratic system.

“I insist that it is not about gaining a position. This is about upholding principles of checks and balances where a true minority is essential in maintaining and strengthening democracy,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“But consistency builds trust, not only for public servants, but also our institutions,” said Hontiveros, who belongs to the two-member Senate minority bloc led by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Earlier, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano defended his right to be elected as the minority leader in the constitutional body as the composition in the CA differs from the Senate after Hontiveros expressed her opposition to his election.

But Hontiveros, in recent interviews, stressed that she and Pimentel, have defined responsibilities in Congress and which includes serving as the minority leader from the Senate.

She also pointed out the vagueness of Cayetano’s supposed role as a member of an “independent minority bloc.”

“Is Sen. Alan unable to be Independent, or Majority, or Minority, stick with it, and take the consequences? Or does he want it all?” she asked.

“Of course, Sen. Alan can always say he cares about democracy, too, but his recent behavior in the CA leaves much to be desired,” she said.

“However, I do agree with Sen. Alan na hindi exclusive club ang minority (that the minority is not an exclusive club). Laging tayong may puwang para sa mga nagmamalasakit sa Pilipinas (We always welcome people who have compassion for the Philippines),” Hontiveros stressed.

“And please, let’s leave feeble arguments about cults and colors to the wild, wild, west of troll armies and bots where they belong,” she also said.