LP senators remain with majority bloc

LIBERAL Party senators who opposed the removal of Sen. Leila de Lima as chairperson of the Senate committee on justice will remain with the Senate majority bloc.

“As long as we believe that these reforms can be achieved, we will remain with the majority,” stated in the joint statement of Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon and Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Risa Hontiveros.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon says they will continue ‘if there is basis or need to criticize’

The LP senators said the ouster of de Lima, also an LP member, saddened them due to the lack of consultation among the majority group members.

“Elementary courtesy dictates that we as members of the majority bloc of the Senate should have been consulted. The concerns of our colleagues could have been addressed if there was an opportunity for a dialogue,” they said.

The senators claimed that the removal of de Lima was part of the political reality in the country.

”Having said that, our alliance with the majority has always been based on the reforms that we believe will propel our nation to greater economic, political and social heights. We will continue to pursue these agen- da,” the LP lawmakers said.

”Coming from the events that transpired yesterday (Monday), we must remain vigilant and continue to assert the independence of the Senate,” they added.

In a media interview, Drilon said they will continue “if there is basis or need to criticize.”

“We will cooperate where we believe that what is being pre- sented to the Senate is for the benefit of our country. We will not criticize simply for the sake of criticizing,” Drilon said.

A total of 16 senators voted in favor of Senator Manny Pacquiao’s motion to declare the justice and human rights committee membership vacant last Monday.

Sen. Richard Gordon was elected new chairman of the justice committee while Senator Panfilo Lacson will remain vice chairman.