Pimentel leaning towards joining the minority in 19th Congress

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — Senator Koko Pimentel said Wednesday that he is leaning towards joining lone opposition lawmaker Senator Risa Hontiveros in the minority in the incoming 19th Congress.

“Because I want to be sure that structurally there will be a segment of the Senate which will check the greater majority. Kapag sinabi kong ‘check’ (When I say ‘check’) it does not mean that we will always be on the opposite side,” said Pimentel in a virtual press briefing.

Based on the results of the recent May 9 polls, Hontiveros is the lone member of the opposition who got another term in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is retiring while detained Senator Leila de Lima failed to be reelected. Senator Francis Pangilinan, on the other hand, lost to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in the vice-presidential race.

Pimentel said that being part of the minority does not always mean opposing the majority, but being part in improving any legislation.

“Number one, are we following the Senate rules? Kasi may rules (Because there are rules). Ayan yung commonality namin eh (That’s our commonality). What is the objective way of determining whether what we are doing is correct or proper? Senate rules. Ipinasa ‘yan ng aming predecessors (Our predecessors passed them),” he said.

“Number two, we will look at the constitutionality of the proposal, and then number three, we will look at the wisdom. Is the Senate’s time better spent on this or are there other more important problems of the country na ayun na lang yung ang pagbuhusan natin ng oras at debate?," Pimentel said. "So naging partner pa si minority in improving legislation. Not really opposing, but improving legislation."

[Translation: Is the Senate’s time better spent on this or are there other more important problems of the country which we should focus our time and debates on? So the minority becomes a partner in improving legislation. Not really opposing, but improving legislation.”]

Pimentel earlier said that he was not exerting active efforts to join the majority or to make alliances in favor of a certain senator vying to become the next Senate President.