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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pimentel: No chance for Senate minority bloc to recruit more members

Pimentel: No chance for Senate minority bloc to recruit more members

Published Jul 24, 2023 07:55 am
There is no more any chance for the Senate minority bloc to recruit additional members, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday, July 24. “Wala. Ang pinakalogical recruit namin e blood relative ng presidente (None. The only logical recruit we could have is a blood relative of the President),” Pimentel told reporters in a press briefing at the Senate after the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress. “Baka hindi namin marecruit e (We might not be able to recruit),” he pointed out. Pimentel is referring to Sen. Imelda “Imee” Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is part of the Senate majority. The President’s eldest sister has been known to oppose some of the Marcos administration’s policies such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. The Senate concurred in the ratification of the RCEP last Feb. 21, 2023. President Marcos initially had reservations on the deal but changed his mind. Senator Marcos also opposed the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act and did not vote on it when the measure was being deliberated in the Senate. She said she abstained in the voting on the MIF bill because she believes the measure was “forced.” The senator was also vocal in criticizing the designation of more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines. Imee Marcos also raised concerns over the United States (US) request for the government to temporarily house Afghanistan nationals in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she is confident that the Senate minority can fulfill their role in the next five years. “Kakayanin (we can do it),” Hontiveros said, also in a separate interview. “Malakas ang fighting spirit (namin) bagamat magte-term out ang minority leader ko sa 2025, hindi ako mananatiling mag-isa dito dahil balak po namin sa oposisyon magdagdag ng minority senators sa  mid-term elections (Our fighting spirit is strong, although my minority leader will run out of office in 2025, I will not remain alone here because we in the opposition intend to add minority senators in the mid-term elections," Hontiveros reiterated.

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Sen. Koko Pimentel Senator Imee Marcos Senator Risa Hontiveros Senate minority bloc
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