Senator Rodante Marcoleta is reportedly being considered to chair the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in the 20th Congress, according to Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
“Yun ang balita ko na kukunin ni Senator Marcoleta yung Blue Ribbon Committee,” Estrada revealed in an interview.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is one of the most influential panels in the chamber, primarily tasked with investigating alleged anomalies in government and ensuring accountability among public officials.
The committee has previously handled high-profile inquiries, including the controversial Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation transactions during the Duterte administration—spearheaded by then-Senator Richard Gordon—and the probe into the bloody drug war led by Senators Pia Cayetano and Koko Pimentel.
The potential appointment is raising eyebrows, as Marcoleta is a known ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, who currently faces an impeachment trial over alleged misuse of confidential funds during her time as Vice President and former Secretary of the Department of Education.
Aside from Marcoleta, Estrada also confirmed expected committee assignments for several other senators, including:
*Senator Mark Villar for the Public Works Committee
*Senator Erwin Tulfo for the Social Services Committee
*Senator Bam Aquino for the Education Committee
*Senator Kiko Pangilinan for the Agriculture Committee
*Senator Win Gatchalian for the Finance Committee
These committee leaderships are expected to be formalized following the reopening of Congress on July 28.