Senate minority down to three in session hall, one in detentionMANILA, Philippines — As the Senate formally opens sessions for the 18th Congress, only four senators are left in the minority bloc. Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon and Risa Hontiveros will be part of the Senate minority so far. "We associate ourself with the Senate minority in the 18th Congress not because we are so-called obstructionist but because we believe that a strong minority is critical to a democracy," Pangilinan said on Twitter. "So even if the Senate minority is now only down to four members, we continue to serve as fiscalizers and maintain the balance in the Chamber," Pangilinan said. Pangilinan stressed that the minority senators will continue to champion the welfare and future of the Filipino people in the 18th Congress.

Source: Philippine Star July 22, 2019 07:52 UTC