Senator Risa Hontiveros does not intend to join the possible Duterte bloc—or a group of senators who are allies of the Dutertes—in the upcoming 20th Congress.
“Magsama? Well, wala po akong planong sumali sa isang Duterte bloc,” Hontiveros said during a press conference on Wednesday, May 21.
Hontiveros made the remark amid speculations that there could be three blocs in the Senate of the 20th Congress: the majority bloc, the minority bloc, and the independent bloc.
It remains unclear who will comprise the minority and independent blocs. However, the group with the most members after the majority will become the minority.
“Kung sinasabi nila na oposisyon sila [Duterte allies], senyales na naghahanda silang mag-vie para maging minority bloc o minority dito sa senado,” Hontiveros said.
From the 17th to the 19th Congress — spanning the terms of former President Rodrigo Duterte and President Marcos — Hontiveros had been part of the minority, serving as opposition to the administration.
But amid the possibility that senators who are allies with the Dutertes might form their own opposition bloc against Marcos, Hontiveros said she plans to remain independent.
“Kung anuman ang maging final organization dito sa senado, basta ang importante sakin ay may manatili na isang pole, isang poste, isang center of gravity na patuloy na magche-check and balance, na patuloy na mag-fiscalize whether ‘’yan po ay ‘yung minority sa 20th Congress o isang independent bloc,” she said. (Joseph Pedrajas)
