Reelectionist Sen. Koko Pimentel assures Senate independence
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 02 May 2019 09:00:09 +0000
SEN. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel gestures during Manila Bulletin’s Hot Seat discussion yesterday at the Manila Bulletin office in Intramuros, Manila. (Albert Garcia)
Reelectionist Sen. Koko Pimentel said yesterday that the Senate will remain independent even if majority of administration candidates win in the May 13 midterm elections.
Pimentel, president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan, brushed aside concerns that the Senate will be a rubber stamp of the Duterte administration should more administration and fewer opposition candidates win in the senatorial race.
“Yes, the Senate will still be independent after this election, even with the new composition. Ganoon naman po kami,” Pimentel said during the Manila Bulletin Hot Seat interview at the Manila Bulletin head office in Intramuros, Manila.
Pimentel stressed that President Duterte has not meddled with the work of the Legislative branch, particularly the Senate.
“In the first place, under the Duterte administration, President Duterte does not interfere with our work,” the former Senate President said. “So even if we don’t want to be independent, we are actually independent because he does not interfere,” he pointed out.
Duterte has recognized the people’s right to express dissent against his administration, Pimentel added.
He recalled that the Chief Executive has even endorsed senatorial candidates who criticize some of his policies.
“Si President Duterte sa aming rallies, when he sells his chosen candidates to the people, for example, si Senators JV Ejercito and Sonny Angara. Sabi niya, ‘What I appreciate about these two gentlemen is that they criticize me not on a personal basis but on policies, on issues,’” Pimentel said. “So don’t fear about the loss of the independence of the Senate because, No.1, it will not happen,” he reiterated.
Pimentel also noted that the Senate has consistently received high public satisfaction ratings in surveys. “I don’t think the perception of the Senate as an independent institution has ever changed. It has always been an independent Senate sa mata ng bayan,” he said.
Pimentel has lauded that majority of administration bets were included in the latest Pulse Asia survey naming 14 senatorial candidates who have a statistical chance of winning in the midterm polls.
He said: “This reflects the public’s support for the Duterte administration and shows that voters appreciate what the current government has done to improve their lives” and that people want “continuity” in the government’s current programs.”
The PDP-Laban has five senatorial candidates in this year’s elections – Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Pimentel, and former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino. They are collectively known as the “MaBaGo ‘Ko ‘To” slate.
Aside from the ruling party’s bets, Duterte has also endorsed reelectionist Senators Cynthia Villar, Angara, and Ejercito, as well as Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano, and singer Freddie Aguilar. (Vanne Terrazola)