Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday raised the possibility of changes in the chairmanship of at least one committee in the upper chamber.
Speaking to reporters before the resumption of session following a month-long legislative break, Sotto said the Senate majority bloc held a caucus to discuss updates and organizational matters.
“Well, madami. Una sa lahat, syempre after the break, siyempre, merong updating, may usapan, may kwentuhan,” he said.
He added, “And, pinag-usapan din namin ‘yung mga organizational meetings ng mga ibang committee. Nabanggit ‘yung Committee on Ethics at ‘yung mga ibang pang-committee na pinag-iisipan namin. Kasi, there might be one or two committees na baka magbago ng chairmanship. So, nag-uusap-usap muna kami, ‘yung mga members of the majority.”
Sotto declined to name which committees may see changes.
“‘l’ll let you know tomorrow. Nothing concrete at this point. Pinagusapan lang. Ayoko munang sabihin kung ano anong committee ‘yun dahil baka magkaroon ng… Hindi pa alam ng iba, mabuting alam na nila,” he explained.
The development comes after a lawyer filed an ethics complaint against Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, accusing him of gross neglect of constitutional duty for allegedly sitting on a complaint against Senator Chiz Escudero over a ₱30-million campaign donation in 2022.
Ejercito, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, maintained that the committee cannot yet hold hearings as its members have not been formally manifested and approved on the floor.
The caucus discussions signal possible adjustments in Senate leadership roles as the chamber resumes legislative work.