Following a recent shift in the Senate leadership, rumors are swirling regarding a major reorganization of two of the chamber’s most influential panels: the Committee on Basic Education and the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.
According to legislative sources, if the rumored leadership challenge on Monday, May 18, does not materialize and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano retains his post, a revamp of key committees is highly likely. Under this proposed shakeup, the Basic Education panel, previously held by Senator Bam Aquino, could be handed over to Senator Robin Padilla. Meanwhile, the Agriculture panel, formerly chaired by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, is tipped to be given to Senator Imee Marcos.
Political Realignment in the Chamber
The potential reshuffle highlights the shifting alliances within the upper chamber. When Aquino and Pangilinan made their Senate comebacks during the 2025 midterm elections, then-Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero awarded them the helm of the Basic Education and Agriculture committees after the duo decided to join Escudero’s majority bloc.
They retained these key chairmanships when the leadership transitioned to then-Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. However, the political landscape has since changed, with Aquino and Pangilinan now part of the nine-member minority bloc currently led by Sotto, who now serves as the Senate Minority Leader.
While the current Senate leadership has yet to issue a formal announcement regarding the reorganization, both Aquino and Pangilinan have already acknowledged that they no longer hold their respective committee chairmanships.