Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday expressed hope there would at leadt be three senators who would comprise the Senate minority bloc in the 19th Congress, confirming that talks about the formation of the group together with Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and other potential members continues.
“Well, umaasa po kami na at least tatlo, kung hindi man mas marami, at gaya ng nasabi ko dati, hindi naman ang pinaka-importante ay yung absolute number ng Minorya, ang pinakamahalaga ay tunay na Minorya kami, gano man kami ka kakaunti o mas marami (We are hoping that we would at least be three, if not, as I said before, it’s not about the absolute number of the minority, but what is important is we are going to be the true minority),” Hontiveros told reporters in an interview.
“Tunay para totoo namin magagampan yung tungkuling mag-check and balance, mag-fiscalize. Samantalang, tulad ng Minorya ngayon, kayang-kaya din namin makipagtulungan sa Mayorya sa mga common advocacies (We need real minority so we can fulfill our duty to check and balance, fiscalize. While like the current minority, we are capable of working together with the majority on common advocacies),” she said.
Asked if she has initiated talks with Senators Pia Cayetano and incoming Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Hontiveros answered in the negative.
Both Cayetanos are reportedly planning to join the Senate minority bloc.
“Hindi pa. Pero matagal-tagal pa naman ang panahon, may at least dalawang buwan pa bago yung opening of session, at siyempre yung unang SONA ng susunod na administrasyon (Not yet. We still have time, we still have at least two months before the opening of session and of course, the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the next administration),” she said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon had said that the next battle is now on the Senate minority leadership after Sen. Cynthia Villar conceded in the Senate presidency race in favor of Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
Pimentel earlier admitted he is eyeing the Senate minority chief role and will discuss the matter with Hontiveros.