The change of leadership in the Senate Monday, Sept. 8, was swift and clean. No rhetorics.
At the start of the plenary session, Sen. Migz Zubiri declared the Senate presidency vacant. The election of Sen. Tito Sotto as the new Senate president followed, ending the exasperating leadership of Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
The Duterte bloc didn’t know what hit them until they found themselves out of their powerful positions.
The 15 senators who compose the new Senate Majority are Bam Aquino, Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Kiko Pangilinan, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Camille Villar, Mark Villar, and Migz Zubiri.
The new Senate minority, whom Sen, Imee Marcos unabashedly refer to as the “Duterte bloc” is composed of nine members:Alan Peter Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, and Joel Villanueva.
The Senate revamp gives an opportunity for the legislative institution to regain the respect and trust of the public that many believe were squandered under Escudero’s leadership by allowing Vice President Sara Duterte to evade an impeachment trial.
Escudero and Villanueva are enmeshed in the current scandal involving flood control projects, contractors, and corrupt public works officials.
Photos by Bullit Marquez by VERA Files.
