SAGIP Party-list Rep. Paolo Marcoleta is trying to convince his House colleague, Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice to run for senator under Vice President Sara Duterte's would-be election ticket in 2028.

This, after Marcoleta told Erice in open plenary that pro-Duterte forces were warming up to him.

"I share the sentiments being aired by one of the stalwarts of the Liberal Party (LP) na nagugustuhan na rin ng mga DDS dahil sa kanyang pagtayo sa mga issues. Na maaaring baka tumakbo na rin, na pwedeng tumakbo sa line-up ni VP Sara sa 2028," Marcoleta said during his interpellation of Erice, who stood up minutes earlier for a privilege speech.

(I share the sentiments being aired by one of the stalwarts of the Liberal Party (LP), who has also gained appreciation from some DDS because of his stance on certain issues. There is even talk that he might run, perhaps even as part of Vice President Sara’s line-up in 2028.)

DDS in this context stands for "Duterte Diehard Supporter"--a colloquial phrase coined around a decade ago after the emergence of the Duterte family in national politics.

Erice said he had no desire to join the upper chamber.

"Hindi po ako tatakbong senador. Baka madagdagan pa po yung mga kulang ang kaalaman sa Senado (I'm not running for senator. I don't want to add to those who aren't knowledgeable in the Senate)," the Caloocan solon said, as he stepped away from the podium laughing.

"Pag-isipan niyo po (Please think about), do not close your doors, distinguished colleague. Nakuha niyo rin po ang aking respeto ngayon hapon na ito (You also gained my respect this afternoon)," Marcoleta said.

Erice availed of privilege hour to address his removal during plenary session Tuesday as senior deputy minority leader. Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan installed Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima as Erice's replacement.

It was earlier Tuesday when Erice, a longtime member of LP, slammed the version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law that was approved by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.

"Base po sa inyong sinabi, imbis na maisulong ang anti-political dynasty bill, parang naging an Act institutionalizing political dynasties ang nangyari. Sa inyong pakiwari, ganun po ang nangyari?" Marcoleta asked Erice.

(Based on what you said, instead of advancing the anti-political dynasty bill, what happened seems more like an Act institutionalizing political dynasties. In your view, that is what took place?)

"Yun po ang aking opinyon (That is my opinion)," the latter answered.

Also on Tuesday, Erice declared in a media interview that he would never align himself with the Marcos administration, even in the event that LP would opt to coalesce with it ahead of the 2028 polls.

"If they (LP) are willing to join them (administration), I will not be a part of it. Pero wala namang desisyon pa (But there's no decision on it yet). Basta (Even) if they will join, I will not join them," he said.

Vice President Duterte--a top critic of President Marcos--declared her intention to join the 2028 presidential race last Feb. 18.

She is the subject of impeachment proceedings in the mostly pro-Marcos House of Representatives.