No move to replace Sotto – Bong Go
Credit to Author: THE MANILA TIMES| Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2020 04:12:56 +0000
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday said that there is no move to replace Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd because the majority of senators trust his leadership.
“The Senate is a collegial body. It is not composed of only one person. As far as I know, majority of the sitting senators still trust the leadership of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd,” Go said.
There are rumors of a possible Senate leadership change after Sotto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Panfilo Lacson questioned the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.
Sotto and Drilon are set to file a petition this week before the Supreme Court questioning the termination of the VFA.
“This decision (to abrogate the VFA) is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy, a move which—as I have repeatedly expressed in my previous statements—I fully support,” Go said.
Go said he understands and respects the views of his fellow senators on the decision of the President to terminate the VFA.
“We are a separate branch of government and it is the right of each senator to express his or her views. After all, we are a working democracy,” he explained.
“I, however, believe that the termination of the VFA is a chance for us to write a new and better chapter in Philippine–United States relations. We should now be able to renew our friendship, reaffirm our ties and resume cooperation as true co-equals,” he said.
“As to the leadership of the Senate, there is a smooth working relationship between the executive branch and the Senate headed by Senate President Tito Sotto 3rd. Despite some differences in opinion, the Senate as a whole has been very supportive of the legislative agenda of President Duterte,” Go added.
JAVIER JOE ISMAEL