Abbey M.

The Senate presidency changed hands on Monday, barely a month after the 20th Congress convened, as Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was elected Senate President, replacing Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

The abrupt leadership shift followed days of quiet maneuvering among lawmakers that culminated in a majority vote ousting Escudero and elevating Sotto back to the chamber’s top post.

Alongside Sotto’s election, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was chosen as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Miguel Zubiri took over as Senate Majority Leader. Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator JV Ejercito were elected Deputy Majority Leaders.

Other members of the majority bloc include Senators Loren Legarda, Bam Aquino, Pia Cayetano, Win Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Kiko Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.

The minority bloc will now be led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate Minority Leader, with Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Senator Joel Villanueva as his deputies. Senators Escudero, Imee Marcos, Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Bong Go join them in the minority ranks.

The change in leadership significantly reshaped the chamber’s political alignment. Escudero, who only assumed the Senate presidency in July, now finds himself in the minority along with several allies, highlighting the volatility of alliances early in the 20th Congress.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he remains confident that the administration’s legislative agenda will not be derailed by the shake-up in Senate leadership. Speaking at a media forum in Cambodia following his three-day state visit, Marcos described the reorganization as an internal matter for senators.

“The Senate knows how to organize itself; the Senate also knows how to do the work,” the President said. 

He added that he does not expect major changes to the agenda previously agreed upon when Escudero was Senate President.

Sotto formally assumed the post on Monday after securing the support of the majority of the 24-member chamber. 

PBBM, who served as senator from 2010 to 2016, said he trusted the institution to carry on its duties regardless of the leadership change.

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OREM, Utah — September 11, 2025. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while speaking at Utah Valley University, authorities said. He was 31.

The shooting happened just after 12:10 p.m. MDT during a stop on Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour.” 

Witnesses said he had only just begun addressing a crowd gathered near a “Prove Me Wrong” booth when the crack of a gunshot cut through the campus.

Kirk was hit in the neck and collapsed as students and attendees scrambled for cover. 

Paramedics rushed to the scene, but officials said he was pronounced dead within minutes. Investigators believe the shot was fired from a building about 200 yards away.

Campus police and sheriff’s deputies immediately detained several people for questioning, though all were released later in the day after being cleared. As of late Wednesday night, no arrests had been made and the search for a suspect continued.

Kirk launched Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old, building it into one of the most visible conservative youth organizations in the country. 

A frequent speaker and podcast host, he was known for his sharp commentary and combative style, particularly on college campuses where his group often sparred with critics.

News of his death sparked shock and anger across the political spectrum. Turning Point USA called the killing “a devastating loss for the conservative movement,” while lawmakers from both parties condemned the violence and urged for answers.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump expressed his grief about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Authorities have not released a motive and asked the public to share any information that could help the investigation. 

Utah Valley University canceled classes for the rest of the week and made grief counselors available to students and staff.

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