Political analyst Ronald Llamas said any senator considering a shift to the minority bloc should be viewed as the “lesser evil,” warning that accepting lawmakers facing serious allegations could damage the opposition camp’s credibility amid ongoing tensions in the Senate.
Llamas made the remark as speculation continued over possible defections from the Senate majority following recent political disputes and reports of impending legal cases involving several lawmakers.
“If you are choosing a lesser evil to join your camp, for example the minority, it should really be the lesser evil. You might end up accepting someone who is a greater evil,” Llamas said.
He said the minority bloc would likely be cautious about accepting senators who are already facing legal challenges, arguing that doing so could undermine its position and public image.
Llamas also said the filing of cases against lawmakers could significantly alter the balance of power in the Senate. He noted that once legal proceedings are underway, it would be difficult to reverse them simply because a senator decides to change political alliances.
“Once the cases are already in motion, it becomes too obvious if they are suddenly withdrawn,” he said.
The analyst claimed that the Senate’s narrow majority means even a small number of defections or legal developments could reshape leadership positions and committee assignments. According to Llamas, the chamber could face an unprecedented situation in which Senate leadership no longer fully controls committee chairmanships and other key posts if the balance of votes shifts.
“With a majority of one, anything can happen,” he said.
Llamas added that reports of possible transfers involving senators with existing controversies would likely face resistance from the minority bloc.
He cited unconfirmed discussions that some senators had previously explored joining the minority while seeking leadership positions in return, an arrangement he said would be difficult for the bloc to accept.
“Of course, the minority would not accept that,” he said, adding that taking in controversial figures could inflict political damage on the group.
Looking ahead, Llamas said the Senate could undergo major changes if two or three senators from the majority decide to cross over. However, he noted that possible legal cases against some lawmakers could also affect the chamber’s composition and leadership structure in the coming weeks.