Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III expressed confidence that the recent decision to reinstate Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will not affect the leadership of the Senate.

“Hindi siguro kasi alam naman ng mga kasamahan namin na siya rin ang gusto nila,” he said.

When asked about potential issues within Senate leadership, Sotto added, “I don’t think so. And if ever there is, no problem with that. I always serve at the pleasure of my peers, baka mas madali pa nga ‘yung senador ka lang kaysa ikaw ‘yung opisyal.”

Sotto emphasized that he serves according to the wishes of the majority of his fellow senators and can continue his service even as an ordinary senator outside of the leadership.

This development comes amid continuous speculation about a possible change in Senate leadership following Lacson’s return as Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman.

The Senate majority consists of 13 senators, while nine senators form the minority, led by Senate Minority Leader Allan Peter Cayetano.

When the Senate resumes session on November 10, Lacson will be re-elected to lead the Blue Ribbon Committee, with plans to hold a hearing on November 14 after resigning last month following criticisms of his leadership in the flood control scandal investigation.

Lacson earlier said that Sotto would meet with former House Speaker and Leyte 1st Distrci Rep. Martin Romualdez to discuss the possibility of inviting him to the next Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.