Padilla to support Senate lead change if impeachment vs Sara passes at House

MANILA -- In the event that an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate, Sen. Robin Padilla hopes that by that time, a member of their minority bloc will be the Senate President.

There are currently two impeachment raps filed against Duterte in the House of Representatives.

READ: 2 new impeachment complaints filed vs Sara Duterte

But as of the moment, Padilla does not see the need to replace Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

"Wala pa naman akong nakikitang dahilan. Pero siyempre yung mga usap-usapan na ganyan di naman nawawala yan, andiyan na yan eh," Padilla said in an ambush interview.

He gave an instance, however, of when he would support a change in the Senate leadership.

“Kung ako ay, halimbawa, magkakaroon ako ng pagnanais na magpapalit ng leadership, sa usapin halimbawa eh impeachment ni Inday [Sara Duterte],” Padilla said.

“Inday ako eh, ayoko ng impeachment ni Inday,” he added.

Senate Deputy Majority Floor Leader JV Ejercito, meanwhile, said no one has talked to him on the alleged coup.

"Narinig ko lang, pero wala pang kumakausap sa’kin," Ejercito said.

"In case mayroon talaga, I have to be the last as a courtesy to the current leadership. Part ako ng liderato eh so hindi naman ako puwedeng isa sa mga mag-plot o lumipat. I will be probably one of the last,” he added.

On the case of the Senate president himself, he admitted that he heard Sen. Loren Legarda was offered by some of his colleagues the Senate Presidency.

"Yeah I heard that. I was told," Sotto said, adding Legarda herself told him about it when the offer was made the other day.

"Actually, I'd rather not dwell into it already. Ayaw ko nang mapagusapan 'yung mga... kasi they were merely talks. Sila na lang tanungin niyo sa details kasi ayaw kong manggaling sa akin," Sotto said.

Sotto said Legarda told those seeking to oust him she's not offered in the position.

Sotto believes Legarda is solidly with the majority and that their bloc remains solid.