MANILA — Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Friday said that she will uphold her "fiscalizer" role in the minority bloc of the incoming Senate under the Marcos Jr. administration, as a "supermajority" bloc looms.

“I personally would like to carry on as a responsible oppositionist and a fiscalizer within the minority as I have done so in the past six years, while also ensuring that I am able to make common cause with our colleagues in the majority so I can remain productive legislatively,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri had said that his group is looking at forming a "supermajority bloc" in the chamber to be composed of his group and that of Senator Cynthia Villar, who is reportedly eyeing to lead the upper chamber like Zubiri.

• Drilon dismisses impact of 'super majority' in Senate

Hontiveros was the only opposition candidate who made it into the Senate "Magic 12" in the 2022 local and national elections.

• Hontiveros is sole opposition in Senate Magic 12 race, Padilla keeps lead

"The public should expect an authentic and responsible minority, and rightly so, as a true minority within the Senate will play an essential role in maintaining the independence of the institution and in safeguarding our contested democracy,” she said.

The next Senate will give birth to a new Senate minority group with former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III confirming that he will team up with Hontiveros.

• Ex-Senate president Pimentel to join minority bloc

But along with that intention is for him to be the Senate minority leader that Hontiveros supported.

“I have spoken only once with Sen. Koko Pimentel about forming a minority together, and I’m glad that we’re both strongly inclined to do so. Our first meeting was a productive one, and I look forward to setting another discussion with him," she said.

"There will still be several talks before we will be able to finalize a minority, but what’s important, at least for me, is that no matter how few or a little more we are, we will be a genuine minority, able to fully exercise our mandate and fulfill our various roles."

Senate sources said returning senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister Pia Cayetano will be join the minority, with Alan Peter keen on getting the post to be vacated in a month by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

• Hontiveros says to build strong opposition bloc in Senate as Marcos win looms

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