Tito Sotto wants 'ethical standards' for senators

MANILA, Philippines — If not the Senate presidency, presumptive Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III would seek to head the chamber’s committee on ethics to restore the good image of the institution.

Sotto, who is poised to return to the Senate, has openly declared his willingness to again lead the chamber if given a chance.

“If my colleagues will not elect me as Senate president, I will ask for the committee on ethics and you would know why,” he said in a Zoom interview with Senate reporters on Friday.

“The definition of the committee speaks for itself,” he went on. “There should be ethical standards for senators. We should be strict on the rules if we want the public to see the good image of the  Senate — decent and orderly."

"That’s what we want, and that’s how the Senate was during the four and a half years I served as Senate President," he added.

READ: Sotto says peers approach him for Senate president post

Sotto said when he was the Senate chief, he had “an excellent practice of parliamentary rules and procedures,” which he wants to continue so it would serve as a “very good example for the young.”

He also underscored the importance of having an independent Senate, again citing his experience leading the upper chamber while he was friends with then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The Senate leadership should truly be independent. That should be our thinking, and I have done that for four and a half years," Sotto said when asked to differentiate legitimate opposition from obstructionists.

A good Senate leader would also know how to handle obstructionists using the available parliamentary procedures, he added.

“So I don’t think it’s a problem,” Sotto said. “Let's handle the Senate. That won’t be a problem for the Palace.”

Malacañang earlier said it was ready to work with the “legitimate opposition” but will push back against “obstructionists” who will just advance their selfish interests.

Incumbent Senate President Francis  Escudero, meanwhile, said he would leave it up to the majority of the new Senate to decide whether he would continue to lead the chamber or they would elect its new leader.

(2025/05/16-12:34)