Senators Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan join senate majority

Opposition-allied senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan have officially joined the majority bloc in the Philippine Senate during Monday's opening session of Congress.

Pangilinan assured supporters that he will remain 'fiercely independent' despite aligning with the majority, citing his commitment to addressing food crises and high prices affecting basic goods.

Aquino indicated earlier plans to secure the Committee on Education through joining the majority, while Pangilinan highlighted his work under former President Benigno Aquino III in lowering food prices.

The decision by Aquino and Pangilinan defied expectations that they would form an independent opposition bloc with Senator Risa Hontiveros, who ultimately joined Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto's group due to lack of numbers for an independent bloc.

Traditionally, majority members get first pick of committee chairmanships; thus, Aquino and Pangilinan are expected to secure the Committee on Education and Agriculture respectively.

While some supporters had anticipated them forming an independent opposition bloc with Senator Risa Hontiveros, both senators argued that being part of the majority does not preclude them from acting as fiscalizers in the Senate.