Koko open to joining Senate minority bloc in 19th Congress

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday said he is open to joining the Senate minority bloc in the 19th Congress.

In a television interview, Pimentel also bared that senators who are eyeing the Senate presidency are already starting to form alliances with their colleagues.

"Marami nang gumagalaw, except that I'm not so interested with all of these alliances that they are building because I am open to not belonging to the majority," Pimentel, a former Senate president, told CNN Philippines.

(There are movements already, except that I'm not so interested with all of these alliances that they are building because I am open to not belonging to the majority.)

Pimentel said belonging to the minority does not technically mean that you are in opposition to the president, adding that the Senate is not dictated by any sitting president.

"We do not wait for dictation from the president [about] who he wants to be the leader of the Senate. That is not part of the thinking, attitude and the culture of the Senate. We limit ourselves to the Senate," he said.

Pimentel refused to comment when asked on who will he support as the next Senate chief following reports that Senator Cynthia Villar and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri are among the lawmakers gunning for the post.

"I cannot comment kasi sabi ko nga [as I've said] I did not involve myself or I will not involve myself in these movements to form the Senate majority because if I get left behind, sasabihin, 'You will be left behind,' then I will be with the Senate minority. Okay lang sa akin," he said.

Congress will adjourn sine die on June 3. The 19th Congress will open its session on July 25. —KBK, GMA News