“Unfortunately, the ball has left the court,” Sotto says.
This was the remark of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on recent developments in the Senate, as he called on all parties involved in the investigation to “focus on the ball.“
He said that prudence guided his decision to refrain from further adding to the “noise” under the Senate’s new leadership.
“Prudence dictates that I refrain from adding to the noise that has come out of the Senate from its new majority,” Sotto said in a X post o Friday, May 15.
Despite this, the veteran lawmaker urged all parties involved to focus on the ongoing investigations.
“I wish all parties investigating to focus on the ball. Unfortunately, the ball has left the Court,” he added.
Sotto’s remarks came days after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as the new Senate President on Monday, May 11. Cayetano secured the post with a 13-9-2 vote, defeating Sotto, who received nine votes, while two senators abstained.
The leadership change was further solidified by the appearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who returned to the Senate after a six-month absence.
Tensions inside the Senate escalated on Wednesday evening, May 13, after gunshots were reportedly heard from the second floor of the Senate building amid heightened tensions over reports of a possible arrest following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation of a warrant against dela Rosa.
