Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Wednesday dismissed rumors of another impending leadership shake-up in the chamber, calling on her colleagues to remain dedicated to addressing the country’s most urgent crises.
Responding to media inquiries about whether the majority bloc still holds the numbers amid persistent reports of political realignment, Legarda redirected the conversation back to legislative duties.
“Can we focus on our work?” Legarda told reporters. “Ang focus natin ay yun pa ring pag-address ng mga krisis. So huwag malilihis ang ating focus at enerhiya sa pangangailangan ng mga tao.”
(“Our focus is still on addressing crises. So let us not divert our focus and energy away from the needs of the people.”)
According to Legarda, the Senate remains concentrated on its legislative priorities, with ongoing caucuses being held to finalize committee chairmanships and tackle pressing public issues.
The statements come in the wake of rumors hinting at a potential plot to unseat Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. The chamber is currently adjusting to a major leadership overhaul that took place on May 11, which saw Cayetano take the helm of the Senate and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III transition to Minority Leader.
The political shift triggered a massive reorganization of committee assignments. By Monday, May 18, several key panels were secured by Cayetano’s allies, though a few positions have yet to be filled.
Among the high-profile changes, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go took over the Senate Committee on Health from Senator Risa Hontiveros, while Legarda assumed the leadership of the Committee on Basic Education from Senator Bam Aquino.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta was appointed head of the Committee on Public Services, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada took over both the Committee on Games and Amusement and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Senator Mark Villar was named the new chairperson of the powerful Senate Committee on Finance, and Acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva reassumed leadership of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.
Several lawmakers retained their current panels, including Legarda for Culture and the Arts; Senator Pia Cayetano for Ways and Means, and Sustainable Development Goals; Senator Robin Padilla for Public Information and Mass Media, and Cultural Communities; and Go for the sports panel.