By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
Senator Vicente Sotto III on Monday reclaimed the position of Senate President, replacing Senator Francis Escudero, ensuring cooperation with the current administration while remaining an independent body, fighting corruption and upholding transparency and true accountability.
In his acceptance speech, Sotto emphasized the rage of the Filipino people against massive corruption and vowed to lead the Senate with balance and transparency.
“Our people are enraged by corruption. Corruption that is now seen, heard, and felt by the Filipinos more than ever. The failed flood control projects that’s supposed to protect the lives, livelihood, and properties of our countrymen, the dilapidated classrooms for our students, and the lack of quality farm-to-market roads to aid our farmers, all are engulfed in corruption, hindering the progress of the nation as a whole,” Sotto said.
“Corruption is now perceived by our people to be in the whole of government. But with the political will of those in position, and together with the vigilance and clamor from the public, we can fight this and bring transparency and true accountability that our nation deserves,” he added.
Sotto recalled how the chamber opposed unconstitutional budget realignments during his previous term as Senate President.
Meanwhile, he also emphasized that his role is not to act as superior, but as “primus inter pares, or first among equals.”
Escudero, meanwhile, thanked his colleagues and the Senate staff for their support during his leadership, as he assured respect for the decision of the majority.
“I hold no grudges. I hold no ill feelings. I congratulate Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III on his election as Senate President and I wish you well, Mr. Senate President. Nandito lamang po ako bilang ordinaryong miyembro para pagsilbihan at paglingkuran kayo sa anumang kapasidad na pwede at kaya ko bilang bahagi ng Senado nito,” he said.
Escudero said the Senate did not shy away from confronting difficult questions and unearthed corruption during his tenure.
He also expressed hope that the Senate’s spirit of transparency will continue, and reminded the public that accountability is not a mere empty rhetoric but a duty that must be upheld.
Following Sotto’s election, the Senate also named Senator Panfilo Lacson as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as the Majority Leader.
House Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez congratulated Sotto for reclaiming the Senate presidency.
“I congratulate Senate President Tito Sotto on once again being entrusted by his peers to lead the Senate. His long years of service, his experience, and his steady leadership will surely guide the Upper Chamber in these challenging times,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He said the House of Representatives is eager to work side by side with Sotto and their colleagues in the Senate.
“With Senate President Sotto at the helm, I am confident that Congress will remain a strong partner of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in delivering reforms and building a Bagong Pilipinas. (With a report from Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
