Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III announced on Monday, May 21, that he has stepped down from his post as Senate President and that he is set to be replaced by majority leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
The announcement was made hours before the meeting between majority members of the Senate began, where Pimentel is expected to be replaced by Sotto as leader of the Upper Chamber.
Pimentel wished Sotto the best of luck as the next Senate President and remembered his father, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr..
“I step down knowing I tried my best. I wish my successor good health, success,” said Pimentel.
Earlier, a draft resolution signed by 15 senators which aims to replace Pimentel as senate president with Sotto surfaced.
Pimentel said he does not have ill feelings towards his colleagues who signed the resolution.
“Siyempre wala. Ganyan talaga ang buhay dapat open to changes all the time,” he said.
Pimentel was elected Senate leader in 2016 at the start of the 17th Congress.
He is also president of the ruling PDP-Laban party.
