By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 6, 2025) – Senator-elect Tito Sotto III on Friday said he is open to a possible term-sharing with Sen. Chiz Escudero for the Senate presidency in the upcoming 20th Congress.
The former Senate president, who served from 2018 to 2022, said he would accept the leadership post if his fellow senators would endorse him.
“Kung gusto nilang patakaran na gawin kung term-sharing ‘yan o gusto nila ‘yung ito or for this particular candidate, ganun na lang kasi hindi ako ‘yung tipong umiikot na nagpapapirma,” he said in an interview with One PH’s Sa Totoo Lang.
On Thursday, the possibility of term-sharing between Sotto and Escudero surfaced during a media forum.
“Kaya nga siguro ako lalo akong kino-consider ko na kapag ako’y inalok or tinulak nila, tatanggapin ko talaga sapagkat nakikita ko maraming dapat ituwid, maraming dapat i-correct sa takbo ng Senado nitong nakaraang taon,” added Sotto.
Sen. JV Ejercito, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which Sotto chairs, said such an agreement could prevent division within the upper chamber.
In 2019, former Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and former Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco shared the speakership for the House of Representatives.
Aside from Sotto and Escudero, Sen. Imee Marcos, the sister of Pres. Bongbong Marcos, has also been floated as a possible contender.
Sotto added that there is no concrete decision yet within the NPC – among the biggest blocs in the lower chamber – on who to support in the Senate leadership race, stressing talks are still ongoing.
The new Senate president is expected to be elected during the inaugural session of the 20th Congress on July 28.
“Tutal July 28 pa ‘yan, kahit na sino sa amin [NPC] na mag-claim na mayroon kaming 13 votes. That’s as of today, snapshot of today, July 28 is the key ‘di ba? Kung ano nangyayari sa July 28, magre-resume, that’s how it goes,” said Sotto.
At least 13 votes are needed to secure the Senate presidency, according to Section 16 of Article VI of the 1987 Constitution.
(AGD)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.