MANILA, Philippines – Tahasang idineklara ni Senador Risa Hontiveros ang kanyang pagnanais na maging susunod na Senate minority leader sa 20th Congress.
Sina Hontiveros at outgoing Sen Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III ang tanging miyembro ng minority sa kasalukuyang 19th Congress.
“Of course. That’s the goal of any minority bloc from an outgoing Congress — especially if they’ve succeeded in getting additional allied senators elected — to still be able to form the minority in the next Congress,” pahayag ni Hontiveros.
“But as in everything in organizing the Senate, it’s a matter of numbers,” paliwanag pa ng senador.
Tinukoy ni Hontiveros ang pamamaraan sa Kongreso kung saan ang losing candidate para sa Senate presidency, na nakakuha ng ikalawang pinakamaraming boto ang awtomatikong nagiging minority leader.
Kung ganito ang mangyayari at hindi umano siya magiging minority leader, sinabi ni Hontiveros na mayroon pa rin siyang Plan B. Ito ay ang lumahok o pangunahan ang isang independent bloc sa mataas na kapulungan.
Inalis naman niya ang posibilidad ng pagsali sa isang majority group.
“For me, in order to remain consistent with the past nine years — and to stay even more consistent in the years ahead, up to 2028, 2034 and 2040 — it’s important to continue not joining the majority, especially since I am not an ally of the administration,” ipinunto ng senador.
“It’s also important to provide an alternative pole or center of gravity for the opposition and other independent forces, including those outside the Senate.” RNT/JGC
