Duterte allies strengthen hold on SenateMANILA, Philippines — Poised to dominate the Senate following their victory in the midterm elections, allies of President Duterte made it clear they would not be rubber stamps of the administration, but vowed to push his legislative agenda during their proclamation yesterday. Last week’s vote has been seen as a gauge of public support for Duterte, who is midway through his single six-year term. “Do I look like a rubber stamp?” Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go, a longtime Duterte aide, replied when reporters asked him about concerns that the new Senate would be beholden to Duterte. “I will support President Duterte’s legislative agenda. Senators who were given fresh mandate were Angara, Aquilino Pimentel III and Binay who obtained total votes of 18,161,862; 14,668,665 and 14,504,936, respectively.

Source: Philippine Star May 22, 2019 16:00 UTC