New Senator Marcoleta bags powerful Blue Ribbon committee chairmanship

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senator Rodante Marcoleta has secured a powerful committee assignment in his first term as chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, which investigates wrongdoing by public officials and employees.

Also known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, the Blue Ribbon handles inquiries into misconduct, nepotism, and matters of public interest - whether initiated by the committee or raised by any senator.

It is traditionally chaired by a lawyer. Marcoleta, a former party-list lawmaker, is one.

Weeks ago, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada revealed that Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero offered the coveted chairmanship to Marcoleta, a known ally of the Duterte camp. This came amid negotiations for the Senate leadership, which led to Escudero’s victory over now-Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Escudero secured the backing of a supermajority that includes allies of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Among those who joined the majority are former opposition senators during the Duterte administration - Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan - who were assigned the education and agriculture committees, respectively.

An initial list of committee chairmanships was confirmed during the plenary session on Tuesday, July 29.

• Blue Ribbon: Rodante Marcoleta

• Accounts: Alan Cayetano

• Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform: Kiko Pangilinan

• Basic Education: Bam Aquino

• Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes: Robin Padilla

• Cooperatives: Imee Marcos

• Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs: Robin Padilla

• Energy: Pia Cayetano

• Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change: Camille Villar

• Finance: Win Gatchalian

• Foreign Relations: Imee Marcos

• Games and Amusement: Erwin Tulfo

• Health and Demography: Bong Go

• Higher Technical and Vocational Education: Alan Cayetano

• Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development: Imee Marcos

• Justice and Human Rights: Alan Cayetano

• Local Government: JV Ejercito

• Migrant Workers: Raffy Tulfo

• National Defense and Security, Peace Unification, and Reconciliation: Jinggoy Estrada

• Public Information and Mass Media: Robin Padilla

• Public Order and Dangerous Drugs: Bato dela Rosa

• Public Services: Raffy Tulfo

• Public Works: Mark Villar

• Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development: Erwin Tulfo

• Sports: Bong Go

• Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking: Pia Cayetano

• Tourism: JV Ejercito

• Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship: Rodante Marcoleta

• Science and Technology: Alan Cayetano

• Ways and Means: Pia Cayetano

• Youth: Bong Go

Majority Leader Joel Villanueva was earlier named chairperson of the Committee on Rules, a post traditionally held by the majority leader.

Members of the minority bloc have yet to be assigned committee chairmanships, but may be given any of the remaining panels, including:

• Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies

• Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation

• Culture and the Arts

• Economic Affairs

• Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation

• Ethics and Privileges

• Government Corporation and Public Enterprises

• Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement

• Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality

The five-member minority bloc counts Sotto, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda, and Migz Zubiri.