MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the bid of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to regain the Senate presidency did not materialize after his proposed inclusion in the minority bloc was immediately turned down by its members.

Pangilinan said the 11-member minority bloc, which calls itself the “Solid Block 11,” firmly rejected discussions involving Escudero’s possible entry in exchange for support for his Senate presidency bid.

“There were discussions, but it was immediately shut down by the minority bloc,” Pangilinan said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

He clarified that the proposal did not come directly from Escudero, but through intermediaries.

“There were discussions, intermediaries, but not Senator Chiz himself,” he said. “Immediately, hindi na pinalaki pa dahil solid ‘yung 11. Hindi acceptable proposition na ‘yun.”

The minority bloc is currently backing Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for Senate president.

Pangilinan said the idea of supporting Gatchalian was initially suggested by former Senate President Vicente Sotto III as a compromise candidate to break a leadership impasse.

“In fairness to former Senate President Sotto, he was the one who suggested Win as a compromise candidate for us in the Senate to break the impasse,” he said.

The bloc, composed of 11 senators, remains short of the numbers needed to challenge the current leadership, requiring at least two additional votes to secure a majority.

Pangilinan said back-channel talks are ongoing with several senators but declined to identify names.

“There are several senators on our end who are doing back-channel talks,” he said.

He also said the bloc is prepared to remain intact even without additional support.

“We are also open to just staying where we are, solid 11, and work as a united solid group to provide a counterbalance,” he said.

Pangilinan noted that public sentiment and mobilizations could influence Senate dynamics, citing growing calls from various sectors regarding leadership changes.

“I’ve never come across public outcry, outrage directed at a Senate president and calling for his resignation,” he said. “Senators are sensitive to public opinion.”

Escudero previously served as Senate president from May 2024 to September 2025, when he was replaced following a leadership shake-up.