Senate Minority Leader Vicente Tito Sotto III Takes Charge
MANILA, Philippines — After an unsuccessful bid to reclaim the Senate presidency, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has been chosen to lead the Senate minority group. This development marks a new chapter for the senator as he steps into his role as Senate Minority Leader.
The election of the new Senate leadership unfolded on Monday, July 28, 2025. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri publicly confirmed Sotto’s position as head of the minority during the session. Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who presided over the event, acknowledged the announcement on the Senate floor.
Senator Sotto expressed his gratitude toward Zubiri and the opposition bloc for entrusting him with this responsibility. “I’ve been a good soldier of this august body since 1992, and I’m always honored by any position entrusted to me by my esteemed colleagues. So I pledge to perform the duties and responsibilities of being the Minority Leader,” he said.
Oath of Office and Support from Colleagues
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan suggested that Sotto take the oath of office, similar to the newly elected Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. However, Sotto politely declined the offer. “Thank you very much to my favorite nephew-in-law,” he said, referring to Pangilinan, who is married to Megastar Sharon Cuneta. “I thank you for that, but it grieves my heart to decline because when we elected Senator Frank Drilon as Minority Leader, we didn’t ask him to take the oath anymore. So I can take the oath by merely saying that I will perform the duty of a Minority leader.”
Senate President Escudero also expressed appreciation for Sotto’s graciousness during the transition.
Senate Leadership Election Results
In the recent Senate leadership vote, 19 senators, including Sotto himself, cast their ballots for Escudero to serve as Senate president. Meanwhile, only five senators supported Sotto’s candidacy for the top post. Those who backed Sotto were Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, and Escudero.
With this outcome, Sotto now leads the new minority bloc in the 20th Congress, ready to offer constructive opposition and cooperation as needed.
For more news and updates on Senate Minority Leader Vicente Tito Sotto III, visit Filipinokami.com.
