go through Adrian H. Halili, reporter
The Senate elected the Senate as Senate President after 15 senators agreed to remove Francis Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero.
During the plenary session, 15 senators were present at Congressman Juan Miguel F.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Sotto confirmed that about 15 senators signed a resolution to support his bid for leadership in the Chamber of Commerce.
“The leadership faces a lot (criticism) and that’s probably a good thing, and we’re trying to calm the Senate,” Mr Soto told reporters on Monday.
Mr Soto, who leads the minority group, said he had met with Mr Escudro who agreed to resign, only more than a month since he was re-elected as Senate president.
“I will do my best to make sure the Senate remains cooperative, but balanced, transparent and sincere,” Mr. Soto told the Senate plenary.
“Our people now believe corruption is in the whole government,” he added. “But with the political will of those in power, and the public’s vigilance and hustle and bustle, we can fight and bring the transparency and real responsibility that our country deserves.”
Mr. Soto served as president of the Senate at the age of 17Th and 18Th Congress from 2018 to 2022.
The newly appointed Senate head had previously begun to question the Senate president on the 20thTh Congress last July.
The former salt officer has been under scrutiny during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. His campaign donors are also one of the president’s top 15 companies that center around the largest part of the country’s flood control program.
The Senate is currently investigating alleged anomalies allegedly from the country’s flood control program.
“The Senate has not shy away from facing the thorny issues facing our country during its tenure. We have passed record laws that help to enhance the lives of our fellow citizens. We have held hearings that have unearthed corruption at scales that have been rarely seen before,” Mr. Escudro said in his speech.
“In doing so, we remind the public that accountability is not an empty speech, but a responsibility we must stick to,” he added.
Senate Chairman Pro-Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada and Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva also resigned from their leadership positions in order to give way to the new Senate leadership.
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson was elected as president of the Senate pro-woman, while Senator Zubiri was appointed Majority Leader.
Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said the newly appointed Senate director is expected to change the decisions and instructions taken by Mr. Escudero.
“Now (Mr. Sotto) has Senate leadership and no longer competes with Mr. Escudero to support their colleagues, he must lead the Senate agency to deal with sensitive issues involving impeachment and corruption issues involving lawmakers, especially those involving lawmakers.”
Mr Aguire said the new Senate chief could resume the vice president’s impeachment trial while taking a more aggressive stance on the House of Lords investigations amid flood control.
He added: “(Mr.) Sotto is expected to pursue impetuousness and yes, there may be motivation to have the Senate agencies in the face of flood control issues.”
Gary Ador Dionisio, dean of the School of Diplomacy and Governance at Benilde, said the new Senate leaders should be more independent and promote transparency and participate in the production of the 2026 budget.
“With their leadership, there is an opportunity not only (the Ministry of Public Works and Highways) budgets will be reviewed further and introduce all possible inserts from various legislators,” he said in a Messenger chat. “At least, we will have at least one accidental decent in the national budget.”
Mr Dionisio added that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee could also initiate some investigations related to Ms. Duterte’s Confidential and Intelligence Fund.
Hansley A.
“If emerging alliances turn toward Marcoses again, it would be better at least in the short-term budget cycle,” he said through Messenger Chat.
