Then Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III reports to members of the media on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the accomplishments of the Upper Chamber under the 18th Congress. Joseph Vidal, Senate PRIB/File

MANILA — Not even a week since the midterm elections, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is poised to win a Senate seat, said Friday that talks are already ongoing for him to become the next Senate president. 

Escudero 'unbothered' by Tito Sotto's remark on Senate presidency

"Yes, yes. I would be lying if I said no. May mga kumakausap sa akin... Mga tatlo, apat kausap ko. Ganoon lang. And they're saying that their peers are ready to support me. Sabi ko naman, if we have 13, I will accept," said Sotto, a veteran politician.

(I'm talking to three or four. That's all that's happening)

He declined to speculate on how many he has in his corner, adding that would just be hearsay on hisr part.

Sotto willing to accept Senate Presidency if there are 'enough numbers'

"Sila na lang tanungin niyo (You can just ask them directly)."

Sotto was Senate president from May 2018 until the end of his second term as senator in June 2022.

Senate President Francis Escudero on Thursday said he was unbothered by Sotto being open to become the Senate chief in 20th Congress.

Sotto said he has not spoken to Escudero regarding the Senate leadership, but they will have to talk about it eventually.

"Oh yeah, surely we will discuss it. We will talk it over for sure, if my colleagues will speak."

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