MANILA, Philippines — While they may have benefited from President Rodrigo Duterte’s support, the newly proclaimed senators allied with the administration gave assurance on Wednesday that their dominance in the Senate won’t turn the institution into a rubber stamp for Malacañang. ADVERTISEMENT“The Senate should always be viewed as an institution,” said Tolentino, a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Lobbying for committeesWhat is certain at this point, though, is that the junior senators are already gunning for committees that they would like to head. Tolentino, however, may not get the committee, as Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said the chamber would observe the equity-of-the-incumbent rule. The President did not attend the proclamation, but Malacañang congratulated the winners and urged the losers to accept defeat.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 22, 2019 21:31 UTC