‘No toilet, tiles?’ Estrada office stripped bare ahead of Sotto turnover

The unusual state of the vacated office has caught several senators by surprise

Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was in for a surprise when he prepared to move into Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s former office.

Sotto was set to take over the office this week, but ahead of the move, he found that his new room had been stripped bare.

Videos obtained by Rappler showed the office, located in the sixth floor of the Senate building, empty, with its fixtures including toilet bowl, sink, tiles, and carpet removed. 

The unusual state of the office caught several senators by surprise.

“Where will Jinggoy bring the toilet?” a senator quipped. 

Sotto’s move to Estrada’s office is part of a reshuffling of offices following the last Senate leadership change.

Sotto is expected to vacate his current office, which will be occupied by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. Offices in the sixth floor are usually reserved for Senate leaders. 

Senate practice allows senators to take furniture and appliances when they vacate their offices, but prohibits them from damaging the premises.

Sotto was elected Senate president pro-tempore in June, following a leadership change that installed Gatchalian as Senate president. 

Estrada has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas since June 2 for plunder charges in relation to alleged flood control corruption. – Rappler.com