MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan has not ruled out Sen. Loren Legarda’s return to the Senate majority bloc, saying she was originally part of a group of five senators that included several members of the chamber’s current majority.
Pangilinan said Legarda was previously part of a group composed of Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Lito Lapid.
“She came from that group. As I said, they were originally a solid bloc,” the senator said In an interview with DWIZ radio. “We’ll see whether she will transfer or not,” he added.
Legarda aligned herself with the minority bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano amid changes in Senate leadership.
Her possible return to the majority came under discussion after Sen. Mark Villar joined the bloc on Oct. 8, leaving the minority with 10 members.
Legarda has been on medical leave since Aug. 3 and was reported to be in France for treatment.
Her spokesman, Tony La Viña, has said he would not rule out her returning to the majority, noting that shifts in Senate alliances have been common amid changes in leadership.
