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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider What will the Senate's 'conscience bloc' do? Ensure strict adherence to rules, Sotto says

What will the Senate's 'conscience bloc' do? Ensure strict adherence to rules, Sotto says

Published Jul 4, 2025 02:38 pm
A brewing alliance in the 20th Congress of the Upper Chamber, composed of veteran legislators, is on the lookout to ensure that rules and procedures are strictly followed in line with the Constitution.
Senators of the so-called
Senators of the so-called "veteran bloc" or "conscience bloc" composed of Seantors Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, and Loren Legarda. (Photos from MB, Senate PRIB)
Initially called by Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri as the veteran bloc, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that it ought to be called the conscience bloc per Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
“We can also make sure that fiscal policy passing through the Senate will be clean and transparent for the benefit of the country and our people,” Sotto said, when asked what could be expected of them.
Zubiri was the first to mention this faction in a previous interview, which, according to him, is composed of senators Sotto, Lacson, Loren Legarda, and himself.
In this interview, Zubiri stated that he's for a leader of the Senate who will keep protecting the integrity, the traditions of the Senate, not a leader who would be dictatorial in nature, since he doesn't want them to be similar to other chambers where it is only one emperor who dictates all the instructions to the members of the body.
“And if you ask me if I'm satisfied with the leadership of the Senate, I'm not satisfied with the leadership of the Senate. So I'm open to supporting other candidates for Senate presidency,” Zubiri said.
This, despite Sen. Joel Villanueva's pronouncement that there are favorable numbers to retain Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
In Zubiri's case, he said he is supporting Sotto. Villanueva, however, had expressed confidence that Escudero will retain his position as leader of the Upper Chamber in the 20th Congress.
He also believes that there are numbers to back Escudero's Senate leadership, though he refused to divulge the exact number but stated that he has spoken to more than 13 senators.
For Sotto, July 28 could be unpredictable, but by the rest of the year, “it’s a different story,” hinting at the possibility of a change in Senate leadership.
“The leadership only serves at the pleasure of the senators. It could change anytime.” he said.

Related Tags

Loren Legarda Tito Sotto Migz Zubiri ping lacson Senate leadership
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