Newly-installed Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda officially assumed her post on Tuesday, May 12, pledging a “decisive, disciplined, and compassionate” leadership under the new chamber hierarchy led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Legarda’s return to the Senate’s second-highest position followed a decisive Monday vote where 13 senators reorganized the chamber, shifting former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III to the Minority Leader role.
The new majority now includes the Villars and the Cayetano siblings, signaling a significant realignment of legislative power.
In a formal statement, Legarda emphasized the necessity of institutional unity:
“As Senate President Pro Tempore, I offer my full support to the Senate President, to the Majority and Minority, and to every member of this chamber. Let us communicate openly, combine our collective wisdom, and protect the integrity of this institution.”
A veteran lawmaker and the first female Senate Majority Leader, Legarda underscored that her role is vital in ensuring that the “work of the Senate continues with order, stability, and respect.”
She expressed urgency in addressing the nation’s economic hurdles, specifically the rising costs of fuel, food, and electricity.
“We cannot allow delay, complacency, or inaction to stand in the way of meaningful reform. Every bill we debate and pass must deliver real and lasting benefits where public action matters most.”
Legarda, who previously chaired major committees including Finance and Foreign Relations, highlighted that the current economic climate demands legislative protection for the country’s most vulnerable sectors.
“Government must act so that relief reaches those who need it, prices are addressed with urgency, and policies protect not only the poorest, but also workers, farmers, fisherfolk, drivers, small businesses, and ordinary families.”