LIVE: Senate President Tito Sotto holds press conference | October 6

Senate President Vicente Sotto III expresses his full support for whatever decision Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson makes regarding his plan to resign as the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. In this interview, Sotto reveals that he and Lacson have spoken and attributes the latter's planned departure to frustration over criticisms of his handling of the committee hearings.

Sotto addresses rumors of a leadership change, stating he is "quite confident" in the stability of the Senate and the support of the majority bloc. He dismisses talks of a destabilization plot as social media chatter and mentions that even Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has denied any involvement.

The Senate President also discusses the upcoming 2026 national budget, confirming that President Marcos Jr. does not want to certify it as urgent to allow for more thorough review and avoid last-minute "insertions." Sotto explains the Senate's commitment to having "no unprogrammed funds" except for foreign-assisted projects to ensure transparency and accountability in the budget process.

Furthermore, Sotto touches on the fate of individuals under the custody of the Blue Ribbon Committee, assuring that they will remain in contempt of the committee, not of a specific senator. He also briefly comments on the procedure for inviting members of the House of Representatives to Senate hearings.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Sotto on Sen. Lacson's planned resignation
01:18 - Sotto: Lacson is frustrated
03:16 - On alleged destabilization plot in the Senate
05:26 - Sotto confident with majority support
08:04 - Who will replace Lacson in the Blue Ribbon Committee?
09:11 - On the continuation of the flood control investigation
10:21 - Sotto on 'outside forces' trying to create intrigue
12:23 - Sotto explains the 2026 budget process
16:47 - Why the President won't certify the budget as urgent
18:01 - How 'insertions' are made in the budget
19:00 - Senate's stand: No more unprogrammed funds
20:24 - Details of Sotto's call with Lacson
21:43 - How a senator can resign from a committee
23:23 - Fate of resource persons under Blue Ribbon custody
24:18 - On inviting congressmen to Senate hearings
26:42 - Sotto shares Lacson's frustrations

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