In the wake of a fresh leadership shakeup in the upper chamber, the Senate on Wednesday officially reshuffled the chairmanships of several key committees.
The movement was initiated during the plenary session by Senator Migz Zubiri, who formally proposed the new leadership roster across multiple panels:
- Committee of Finance: Senator JV Ejercito
- Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation: Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
- Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs / Committee on Accounts: Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
- Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) / Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development: Senator Erwin Tulfo
- Committee on Public Services: Senator Raffy Tulfo
- Committee on Basic Education: Senator Bam Aquino
- Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform: Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
- Committee on Health and Demography: Senator Risa Hontiveros
- Committee on Games and Amusement: Senator Lito Lapid
- Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement: Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero
- Committee on Foreign Relations / Committee on Rules: Senator Migz Zubiri
This structural overhaul follows the election of Senator Win Gatchalian as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, who subsequently stepped in as the acting Senate President.
Gatchalian’s installation took place on Wednesday after the chamber successfully established a quorum, which was secured upon the arrival of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.