PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senate majority leadership and members have formally welcomed Senator Mark Villar into their ranks after he officially departed the minority bloc, expanding the chamber’s majority coalition to 14 members.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri confirmed the movement during plenary proceedings, formally giving up his own seat in the Commission on Appointments to accommodate Villar.
”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.
Zubiri also moved for Villar to assume leadership of a key Senate panel, replacing Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a motion that was promptly seconded by Sotto without any objections from the floor.
”And 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,” Zubiri added.
Addressing questions regarding Villar’s prior voting record on crucial chamber decisions, Zubiri dismissed rumors linking the realignment to past political rulings, reiterating that Villar’s decisions were driven by individual conviction.
“We had nothing to do with that. That’s a conscience vote. It was his own [decision],” Zubiri recalled.
Villar’s transfer leaves the Senate minority bloc, led by Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, with 10 members.