Despite the entry of President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies in the upper legislative chamber, Senate President Vicente Sotto III vows the last bastion of Philippine democracy will remain free from Duterte’s influence.
Nine of the 12 winning senatorial candidates were endorsed by Duterte. The three winners are independent candidates. None from the opposition’s senatorial slate Otso Diretso made it to the winning circle.
“Huwag sila mag-alala na walang oposisyon doon [sa Senate] di naman franchise ng oposisyon mag-oppose, eh kasi sa amin kung ano yung tama (Don’t worry that there will be no opposition in the Senate because opposing is not the sole franchise of the opposition. We just side with what is right.),” Sotto told radio DZMM.
Sotto has vowed to uphold the Senate’s tradition of independence.
“Karamihan doon sa amin, independent-minded, transparent, at tsaka sincere (Many of the senators are independent-minded, transparent, and sincere.),” he added.
Before the entry of senators allied with Duterte, the Senate has blocked the administration’s push for the shift to federalism.
The Senate also investigated the thousands of killings in Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs as well as irregularities involving Duterte’s allies.
