Hontiveros willing to work with Padilla, Tulfo
OPPOSITION Senator Risa Hontiveros yesterday said she is not closing the door to her fellow senators who would be willing to join her in the Minority group in Senate.
Hontiveros, in an interview, said she sees no problem if the minority group will only be two or three or even four senators as long as they are willing to help each other in prioritizing bills that will benefit the Filipino people.
“Wala po akong nakikitang problema kahit po sa mga panukalang batas na puwedeng makipagtulungan kaninuman basta alam natin na seryosong naglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan. Welcome po ang sinuman na nais kaming samahan sa Minorya sa Senado,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said her focus will be on how to work well in the Senate as she assured that she is more than willing to cooperate with her colleagues, both in the Minority and the Majority, to pass important legislation that will help the country and the Filipino people.
“Dapat lamang po na ang kapakanan ng taong bayan ang maging focus natin. Kahit po kay Senator Padilla at Senator Tulfo ay handa po akong makipagtulungan kung mayroon po kaming mga advocacy na tugma at makapagbibigay tulong sa marami nating kababayan,” Hontiveros explained.
Reportedly, Sen. Aquilino Koko Pimentel III said he is expecting Hontiveros and himself to be the only members of the Senate minority in the 19th Congress, while 22 of their colleagues will be part of the “super majority” bloc.
Hontiveros said, regardless of the number, the minority will be working hand in hand with their colleagues and will also do their job to provide the much-needed “checks and balances” to the new administration.
Hontiveros confirmed that no words were given yet by siblings Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano on whether or not they will join the minority.
“We welcome everybody, and we are not closing our door,” Hontiveros clarified.
It was reported that most senators chose to have Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri be the next Senate President when the first regular session of the 19th Congress begins on July 25.
