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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