(Eagle News) — Newly elected Senate President Tito Sotto on Thursday, May 24, said he wants his predecessor, Koko Pimentel, to head the chamber’s ethics panel.
“I was thinking he would take over that committee..,” Sotto said at a weekly forum.
According to Sotto, Pimentel “has the stature, his work ethics is impeccable.”
He said, however, that he has not talked to Pimentel about the possibility yet.
The Senate ethics panel is currently headed by Senator Richard Gordon.
Pimentel, according to Sotto, was slated to head the subcommittee on environment and natural resources of the Commission on Appointments, and the trade committee and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Elections System.
Pimentel stepped down as Senate president after 15 senators signed a resolution for such a reorganization, and elected Sotto as his replacement.
Those who signed the resolution were Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senator Sonny Angara, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Senator Nancy Binay, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Francis Escudero, Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Gregorio Honasan, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Grace Poe.
Honasan said the idea was to ensure “continuity,” given Pimentel’s plans to seek reelection in 2019.