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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson backs Sotto-led Senate in the 20th Congress

Lacson backs Sotto-led Senate in the 20th Congress

Published May 30, 2025 09:53 am

At A Glance

  • Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said fellow senator-elect Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, and incumbent Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, are both competent and qualified to lead the Senate. Both are stalwarts of the Nacionalist People's Coalition (NPC).

Senator-elect Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Friday said he will support fellow senator-elect Vicente "Tito" Sotto III’s bid for the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress.

Vicente
Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (left) Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Lacson cited Sotto’s track record in leading the Upper Chamber, having led the Senate for four and a half years during the Duterte administration. 

"For me, it is clear. He is my friend and colleague whose leadership I have experienced. So I think I can reveal and I can be very frank that I will vote for Sen. Sotto," Lacson said in Filipino in a televised interview. 

But Sotto and incumbent Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero are both competent and qualified to lead the Senate, Lacson noted. Both are stalwarts of the Nacionalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The names of Sotto, Escudero and even Sen. Imee Marcos have surfaced as contenders for Senate President.

Earlier, Sotto, 76, said he is ready to accept the challenge of being the Senate leader should he receive the support of majority of the senators in the 20th Congress but won’t go around to rally and get their support. 

“If they have the numbers and they want me to be Senate president, then I will accept their decision,” he had said.

“I told them if we have 13 (senators) then I will accept it,” Sotto said. 

Meanwhile, Lacson said he is preparing for the possibility of being a senator-judge if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte crosses over to the 20th Congress.

The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said he will base his eventual decision on the evidence presented by the prosecution and defense, and nothing else.

He said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement that he never wanted the Vice President impeached will also not affect his mindset.

"What I will focus on is the weight of the evidence to be presented by the prosecution and the defense," Lacson said.

Related Tags

Tito Sotto ping lacson Senate of the Philippines Senate leadership
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