Press Release
May 21, 2018

Statement of Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III

I am together with my colleagues in the Senate Majority in this reorganization of the Senate Leadership and announce that I will be the one to nominate Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III as the new Senate President today, May 21, 2018.

I am grateful for the support extended by my colleagues in the Senate during my term. All of them played significant roles in the crafting and passage of landmark legislation that have helped improve the lives of our people.

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve the Senate as its President, a position once held by my father. He served the Senate with dignity, always staying true to his principles and consistently putting the interests of our nation before his - and it was his example I had tried to emulate during my time at the helm of the Senate.

When I became a lawyer, my father reminded me of the immortal words of former Justice JBL Reyes, words that he said inspired all those in our profession who fought Martial Law: "No master but law, no guide but conscience, no aim but justice."

I served as Senate President inspired by the words of Justice JBL Reyes and guided by the principles and values of Senator Nene Pimentel. I step down knowing that I tried my best to do this.

I wish my successor, Senator Sotto, good health and Godspeed, and pledge to help the new leadership pass pro-people legislation consistent with the legislative agenda of the President.

The cause of Federalism needs help. Federalism is not only PDP LABAN's advocacy but also my personal one. I will go around the country, on my personal time, to help explain to the people what Federalism is all about and how the country will benefit from it.

As the President of PDP LABAN, it is also my duty to prepare the party for its participation nationwide in the 2019 polls.

Maraming salamat po.

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