Tito Sotto open to leading minority bloc if not elected Senate president

‘In case na ako’y hindi ihalal ng aming mga kasama, handa naman ako mahalal as minority leader,’ says Senator Tito Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Monday, June 30, that he is ready to take the minority leadership should he not get elected as Senate president.

“Maganda rin ‘yung role na ‘yun. Dahil handang-handa, sapagkat ako ‘yung naging minority leader na dati, noong panahon na ang Senate president noon ay si Nene Pimentel,” Sotto said, when asked if he was open to the role.

(That role is also a good one. I’m very prepared for it because I had served as minority leader before, back when Nene Pimentel was Senate president.)

“In case na ako’y hindi ihalal ng…aming mga kasama, handa naman ako mahalal as minority leader,” he added. (In case I am not elected by our colleagues, I am ready to be elected as minority leader.)

Sotto, a veteran legislator, is vying for the Senate presidency against incumbent Senate President Chiz Escudero.

Sotto had served as Senate president from 2018 to 2022, spanning the 17th and 18th congresses. He was first elected as senator in 1992 and served two terms, until 2004. He made a Senate comeback in 2010, and was reelected in 2016. He ran for vice president in 2022.

In the legislative branch, leadership is typically held by those allied with the President to ensure alignment with the executive’s priorities. At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s first cousin, is at the helm.

Sotto ran under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the May 2025 elections. When asked if leading the minority meant opposing the President, Sotto said he is willing to cooperate with the administration while remaining critical when necessary.

“Ganun ako pinalaki ng Senado. Independent. I always espouse the independence of the Senate. That is the way you will be able to preserve the integrity and the reputation of the Senate if you remain independent. Hindi ka puwedeng sunud-sunuran sa Palasyo. Cooperative ka but critical if necessary,” he said.

(That’s how the Senate raised me — to be independent. I always advocate for the independence of the Senate. That’s how you preserve its integrity and reputation — by remaining independent. You can’t just follow the Palace blindly. You have to be cooperative, but critical when necessary.)

In May, Sotto said that at least three to four senators had approached him about replacing Escudero. Sotto has been vocal about his position on the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that it has to start without any delay. (READ: Will Tito Sotto lead the Senate in the 20th Congress?)

Escudero has faced criticism for allegedly delaying the impeachment trial to retain his position as Senate President. He has denied the accusation, saying there is no connection between the two.

In a separate press briefing on Monday, Senator Joel Villanueva said he is confident that Escudero currently has the numbers.

“Kung ngayon nga po ang botohan, alam na natin na I think your information is as good as mine, na si Senate President Chiz Escudero will be retained as our Senate President. I know for a fact na maraming nakausap din na senador and just like the majority of the members of the incoming 20th Congress, I am also in support of the current Senate President,” Villanueva said.

(If the vote were held today, we already know — and I think your information is as good as mine — that Senate President Chiz Escudero will be retained as our Senate President. I know for a fact that many senators have been consulted, and just like the majority of the members of the incoming 20th Congress, I also support the current Senate President.)

Meanwhile, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her desire to become the minority leader but acknowledged that she does not have the numbers to secure the position. – Rappler.com