Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Jinggoy says Bam, Kiko likely part of pro-Chiz majority bloc in 20th Congress
Philippines
National
Jinggoy says Bam, Kiko likely part of pro-Chiz majority bloc in 20th Congress
Jinggoy says Bam, Kiko likely part of pro-Chiz majority bloc in 20th Congress
By Dhel Nazario
Published Jul 5, 2025 05:41 pm
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Saturday, July 5 said Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan were “likely” to align with the majority bloc supporting Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero when the 20th Congress opens its first regular session on July 28.
Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Bam Aquino
In an interview with Usapang Senado on DWIZ, Estrada said that Escudero was expected to secure the necessary votes to retain the Senate’s top post.
“Siguro, ihanda na lang siguro ni Senate President Chiz yung resolution na meron siyang 13 or more votes para manatili siya bilang Pangulo ng Senado (Perhaps Senate President Chiz should prepare a resolution showing he has 13 or more votes to remain as Senate President),” Estrada said, noting that even with sufficient support, a formal vote will still be conducted.
When pressed if Escudero already has a resolution signed by more than 13 out of the 24 senators, Estrada declined to preempt the Senate President but said that he's confident that it’s more than 13.
Estrada also stated that Aquino and Pangilinan were likely to join the majority bloc.
“Hmm, malamang (Probably),” he said when asked about Aquino, stating “I think so” when asked also about Pangilinan being willing to be part of the majority.
Traditionally, senators in the majority get the first pick of committee chairmanships, Estrada said.
“Mapupunta sa kanila yung gusto nilang committee. Like for example, si Sen. Mark Villar, dati siya ang Secretary ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). So malamang may bigay sa kanya yung Committee on Public Works. Ganundin si Sen. Kiko Pangilinan na ang kanyang forte ay agriculture. So baka maibigay sa kanya yung Committee on Agriculture (They will likely get the committees they want. For example, Senator Mark Villar, who was previously the zecretary of the DPWH, will probably be given the Committee on Public Works. Similarly, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, whose expertise is in agriculture, might be assigned the Committee on Agriculture),” he said.
He also said that Escudero appears to have secured the support of the so-called Duterte bloc.
“Well, most probably,” Estrada said when asked if Escudero already has their backing.
Despite this, Estrada cautioned that alliances in the Senate can still shift.
“Siyempre hindi naman natin kontrolado yung isipan ng ating mga kapwa senador. Meron dyan pwedeng magpalit ng isip (Of course, we cannot control the minds of our fellow senators. Some of them might still change their minds),” he said.