Ched Rick Gatchalian

Sotto willing to accept Senate Presidency if there are 'enough numbers'

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Senatorial candidate Vicente &quot;Tito&quot; Sotto III is ready to accept the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress if enough of his colleagues support him. Sotto was Senate president from May 2018 until the end of his second term as senator in June 2022. &quot;If I have the necessary number I will accept,&quot; Sotto told ABS-CBN when asked if he will seek the Senate helm anew, a post he last held in the 18th Congress.&quot;[I] will make sure the budget of government is used correctly. I will exercise oversight on previous laws authored and introduce new legislation&quot; Sotto added when asked for his plans in the 20th Congress as a lawmaker.A senator needs the support of at least 13 senators to become Senate president. As the Senate is a continuing body, Senate President Francis Escudero keeps his post past the 19th Congress unless and until another senator musters the nod of 13 of the 24 person Senate.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/zubiri-steps-down-escudero-is-new-senate-president-1729">Zubiri steps down; Escudero is new Senate President</a></div>Sotto is cautious about claiming victory despite his comfortable lead in #Halalan2025.Still, Sotto, expressed his gratitude to his supporters ahead of the beginning of the official tally.&quot;I am deeply grateful to the Lord our God for being with me as I weathered the challenges of this election,&quot; Sotto also saidCurrent the 12th placer in unofficial counts, reelectionist Imee Marcos also thanked her supporters, as she claimed victory.&quot;Ang tagumpay na ito, kahit gaano kailap at kahirap, ay isang katibayan na kapag ikaw ay nanindigan para sa tama-mananalo ka,&quot; Marcos, who ranked at 8th place in 2019, said.(This victory, no matter how elusive and difficult, is proof that if you stand for what is right, you will win)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/9/-not-marcos-imee-says-government-now-controlled-by-araneta-romualdez-1400">&#x27;Not Marcos&#x27;: Imee says government now controlled by &#x27;Araneta, Romualdez&#x27;</a></div>Currently 10th in unofficial counts, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar also thanked her supporters.&quot;Dala ko ngayon ang panibagong boses niyo sa Senado at handa pong maglingkod, tahimik man o maingay ang laban, para sa bawat Pilipino. Walang iwanan!&quot; she added.(I bring a new voice to the Senate and I am ready to serve. in quiet or loud struggles, for every Filipino. Nobody will be left behind)The 24-person Senate in the 20th Congress will be comprised of winners in the just concluded election as well as those who won in the 2022 National Elections which include Senate President Francis Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Camille&#x27;s brother Mark Villar and Miguel Zubiri.Based on unofficial tallies, the likely winners are candidates Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Bato dela Rosa, Raffy&#x27;s brother Erwin Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta, Panfilo Lacson, Sotto, Alan Peter&#x27;s sister Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid and Marcos.

Senatorial candidate Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is ready to accept the Senate Presidency in the 20th Congress if he has the "necessary number", ABS-CBN News learned.

Senatorial candidate Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is ready to accept the Senate Presidency in the 20th Congress if he has the "necessary number", ABS-CBN News learned.