Raffy Tulfo extends hand of reconciliation to Senate minority

MANILA, Philippine — Sen. Raffy Tulfo has extended the Senate majority’s hand of reconciliation to minority senators following the election of the new leadership in the chamber, now led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

The new minority bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was absent when Gatchalian was elected Senate president by acclamation during the special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday.

READ: Gatchalian is new Senate president

Article continues after this advertisement

“We’re extending our hand of reconciliation. We hope they won’t take to heart the things we said or did,”  Tulfo told reporters.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“And I apologize to the Filipino people for the bickering that took place over the past few days, which we all witnessed. I hope we can put that behind us and get back to work,” he added.

According to Tulfo, the majority bloc would reach out to the minority.

Addressing the minority senators, Tulfo said: “Bosses, let’s forget what happened — the things that were said and the things that were done. That’s all in the past. It’s just part of the game. Let’s get back to work.”

The new  Senate majority is composed of Gatchalian, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, Sens. JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, siblings Raffy and Erwin Tulfo, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Joel Villanueva.

Article continues after this advertisement

Escudero and Villanueva were previously part of the Cayetano group.

Meanwhile, the new minority group is now composed of Cayetano, his sister Pia Cayetano, Sens. Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, Christopher “Bong” Go, siblings Camille and Mark Villar, Robin Padilla, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa  and Jinggoy Estrada.

Article continues after this advertisement

Estrada has been detained in a Quezon City jail over a non-bailable plunder case linked to the anomalous flood control projects, while dela Rosa has been in hiding amid a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with his role as then police chief in the previous administration’s war on drugs. /das

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.