Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva has confirmed that Senator Robinhood Padilla is being floated as the possible next chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The powerful panel investigates senators’ work ethics and determines if any have abused their authority.
In a Viber message to members of the media, Villanueva said the matter is indeed on the table but far from final.
“Yes, it’s true. It is being discussed,” Villanueva said. “But nothing is final until it’s read on the Senate floor.”
A source from Padilla’s camp told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the senator is ready to give up his current post as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments to a colleague he believes is “more capable” of leading it. That committee is tasked with reviewing proposals to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan confirmed that talks are ongoing about him possibly taking over the charter change panel.
It can be recalled that Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto had earlier expressed interest in chairing the Ethics Committee.