PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar has officially departed the minority faction led by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to join the Upper Chamber’s majority coalition as its 14th member.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri confirmed Villar’s realignment on Thursday, Oct. 8.
With Villar’s transfer, the majority bloc now consists of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, and Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. Its members also include Senators Bam Aquino, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Lito Lapid, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, and Mark Villar.
Meanwhile, the Cayetano-led minority bloc retains nine members: Senator Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Jinggoy Estrada.
Following his move to the majority, Senator Villar was elected as a member of the powerful Commission on Appointments, replacing Zubiri. He was also designated as the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Works, taking over the helm from Sotto.
“Mr. President, pursuant to Section 18, Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution, I move that Senator Mark Villar be elected as a member of the Commission on Appointments vice Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. That’s myself. I’m giving way to Senator Villar, Mr. President,” Zubiri said.
“On the part of the majority pursuant to Rule 10, Section 13 of the Rules of the Senate, I move to elect Senator Mark Villar as chairperson of the Committee on Public Works, vice Senator Vicente Soto III,” the majority leader added.
Following the realignment, Senator Raffy Tulfo hinted in a separate interview that another lawmaker might soon jump ship to join the majority ranks, though he declined to name the individual.
”We will know in time,” he said.