Minority senators slam Sotto over Hernandez transfer to PNP

Minority bloc senators criticized Senate President Vicente Sotto III for the transfer of DPWH Engineer Brice Hernandez from Senate custody to the PNP Custodial Center.

The transfer was made upon the request of Speaker Martin Romualdez after Hernandez linked Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa expressed sadness over Sotto's remark that the minority's criticism of the transfer was a "gimmick".

Senator Imee Marcos denied rumors of the Senate minority bloc plotting to oust Sotto, stating their main concern is processing the recent leadership change.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano acknowledged that the minority bloc "always wants to be the majority" but clarified there are no active efforts to lobby for a change in leadership.

Cayetano also questioned the transfer of Hernandez without consulting other senators, noting the engineer's expressed discomfort and safety concerns.

In a related development, the Senate disclosed the list of committee chairmanships for the new minority bloc, with Senator Francis Escudero heading the committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada leading the committee on local government.

Senator Joel Villanueva is the new head of the committee on banks, and Senator Rodante Marcoleta will chair the committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship.