Sen. Win Gatchalian was officially elected Senate President during a special session of the Senate after lawmakers achieved the required quorum on Wednesday.
The session proceeded after Sen. Joel Villanueva arrived, bringing the number of senators present to 13, enough to meet quorum requirements.
Following the roll call, Sen. Migz Zubiri nominated Gatchalian for the Senate presidency. The chamber subsequently elected Gatchalian as its new leader.
As part of the leadership reorganization, Sen. Tito Sotto was named Senate President Pro Tempore, while Zubiri assumed the positions of Senate Majority Leader and chairperson of the Committee on Rules.
Sen. JV Ejercito was designated Senior Deputy Majority Leader, while Villanueva was appointed Deputy Majority Leader.
The Senate also confirmed committee assignments under the new leadership.
The Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, will remain under the leadership of Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson formally relinquished his position as chairperson of the committee. However, he will continue serving as one of its vice chairpersons alongside Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
The committee’s membership will include senators belonging to the Majority Bloc who were present during the special session, with the exception of Sen. Francis Escudero.
Several senators were also named members of the Commission on Appointments, one of Congress’ most influential bodies.
Those appointed to the commission include Lacson, Zubiri, Villanueva, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Ejercito.
The special session marked a significant leadership transition in the Senate, resulting in a new set of officers and committee assignments under Gatchalian’s presidency.
Members of the Cayetano bloc did not attend the special session.
