Metro Manila, Philippines – Duterte allies in the Senate lost the chairmanship of key committees as the new minority in the aftermath of a leadership shakeup.
The minority, which did not support Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in his challenge to Francis “Chiz” Escudero, counts nine members:
Alan Peter Cayetano
Bato dela Rosa
Chiz Escudero
Jinggoy Estrada
Bong Go
Rodante Marcoleta
Robin Padilla
Imee Marcos
Joel Villanueva
During the plenary session on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Cayetano was officially named minority leader.
Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri also announced the reassignment of high-profile committee posts:
Blue Ribbon: Ping Lacson replaces Rodante Marcoleta
Labor: Raffy Tulfo replaces Imee Marcos
Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education: Loren Legarda replaces Alan Cayetano
Defense: Loren Legarda replaces Jinggoy Estrada
Public Order and Dangerous Drugs: JV Ejercito replaces Bato dela Rosa
Health: Risa Hontiveros replaces Bong Go
Accounts: Loren Legarda replaces Alan Cayetano
Lacson now heads the influential blue ribbon committee (accountability of public officers and investigations), which is probing alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Sotto earlier explained that such key posts are reserved for the majority, whose members also get first pick of committees.
The majority also designated Hontiveros and Ejercito as deputy majority leaders.
