Escudero, Sotto seek Duterte bloc’s support for Senate presidency – Go

Senate President Chiz Escudero (left), and former Senate President and Senator-elect Tito Sotto. Photos from Senate SMU/Lacson-Sotto Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — As the race for the Senate presidency begins, both Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senator-elect Vicente “Tito” Sotto III are reportedly on the move to get the support of the so-called Duterte bloc.

That’s according to Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go who said Escudero and Sotto have already talked to the Duterte bloc — either as a group or individually — to seek support.

Escudero is the incumbent Senate chief while former Senate president Sotto is poised to challenge his leadership in the 20th  Congress.

The Duterte bloc is composed of Go, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, and Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta— all are known allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Go also said the Duterte bloc has already agreed to vote as a bloc.

READ: Escudero reaches out to Duterte bloc amid senate shake-up murmurs

“Initially, we were able to talk and greet each other during the proclamation. Our lines of communication remain open, since we worked together in previous Congresses,” Go, speaking in Filipino, said in an interview in Manila on Wednesday.

Asked if Escudero and Sotto were both seeking his support, Go said: “From our group, yes.”

Go added there are many others who are talking to them, and that they are open to all discussions.

“Our only criteria are to prioritize the interest of the nation, the welfare of every Filipino, and to uphold an independent Senate,” he stressed.

When asked if they are looking for a Senate leader who would dismiss the impeachment case against  Vice President Sara Duterte,  Go said they do not discuss things like that.

“The Senate is different. We don’t talk about things like that,” he said.

It was Dela Rosa who earlier disclosed that Escudero had already reached out to the group about the Senate leadership.

Sotto, who recently won in the last elections, has already expressed his desire to again lead the upper chamber should he secure the majority vote of his colleagues.

He has yet to formally assume his post as senator on June 30./ MR