Senator Imee Marcos is set to be removed as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations following her refusal to sign a resolution censuring the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed on Thursday.
Lacson said Senator Erwin Tulfo is poised to take over the panel that handles diplomatic affairs and the review of international treaties, adding that Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri has already informed Marcos of the impending leadership change.
“Yes. It will be taken up in plenary next week,” Lacson said.
Marcos is expected to assume the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, replacing Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Her removal comes days after she and several allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte declined to sign Senate Resolution No. 256, which condemned the Chinese Embassy’s verbal attacks against Philippine officials who criticized Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.
The resolution was signed by 15 senators, including Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Zubiri, Pangilinan, Tulfo, and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, following a public exchange between Chinese embassy officials and lawmakers over China’s incursions in Philippine waters.
Marcos was among the Duterte-aligned senators who did not support the measure, along with Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senators Robinhood Padilla, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.