Sen. Win Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Sen. Loren Legarda, during a Senate session that proceeded after the chamber completed a quorum.
The quorum was achieved despite the absence of members of the Senate Minority Bloc. Aside from the members of the “Solid 11 Bloc,” Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero was also present during the afternoon session.
The Senate also approved several leadership and committee changes.
Sen. Migz Zubiri was assigned to the Committee on Rules, while Sen. Erwin Tulfo was designated as chairperson of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In addition, Rey Bantug was reinstated as Senate Secretary, replacing Jose Luis Montales, who had been appointed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Montales previously served as administrator of Taguig City.
The Senate also elected PBGen. Alfredo Sotto Corpus as the new Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
Several committee chairmanships were reassigned during the session.
Sen. JV Ejercito was named chairperson of the Committee on Finance. Sen. Tito Sotto assumed leadership of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
Sen. Ping Lacson was appointed chairperson of both the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the Committee on Accounts.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also took the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, while Sen. Raffy Tulfo became chairperson of the Committee on Public Services.
Sen. Bam Aquino was assigned to the Committee on Basic Education, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan to the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros to the Committee on Health and Demography.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lito Lapid was named chairperson of the Committee on Games and Amusement, Sen. Chiz Escudero of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and Sen. Migz Zubiri of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
