Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Secures Majority of Votes of Fellow Senators
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President remains in his post as the chief of the chamber in the 20th Congress after getting 19 votes.
Previously, two (2) names floated for the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress — Senate Pres. Escudero and incoming Senator Tito Sotto. The latter is a former Senate President who led the chamber in the 18th Congress.
Incoming Sen. Tito Sotto claimed that he is open to be the Senate president if he has the numbers. The “veterans bloc” assured him of their votes for the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress. According to him, their bloc will ensure that the Senate follows the rules and processes mandated by the law.
Sen. Joel Villanueva previously claimed that at least 13 senators were supporting Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero to remain in his position. Sen. Raffy Tulfo is one of those who confirmed his vote for Escudero in the Senate presidency. As for Sen. JV Ejercito, he claimed that it is a tough decision for him to make as he is grateful to both Escudero and Sotto but he decided to have his vote for the current leadership in the chamber to continue.
Recently, with the opening of the 20th Congress today, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero is confirmed to remain in his position as the chief of the upper chamber. Based on a report on GMA News, Escudero garnered 19 votes:
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Joel Villanueva
- JV Ejercito
- Win Gatchalian
- Imee Marcos
- Bong Go
- Bato Dela Rosa
- Rodante Marcoleta
- Mark Villar
- Camille Villar
- Raffy Tulfo
- Erwin Tulfo
- Robin Padilla
- Lito Lapid
- Pia Cayetano
- Alan Cayetano
- Kiko Pangilinan
- Bam Aquino
Sen. Tito Sotto earned the votes of the veterans bloc composed of senators Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda, and Migz Zubiri as well as the vote of Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Based on the post, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was also reelected as the Senate president pro tempore. The Senate majority leader in the 20th Congress is Sen. Joel Villanueva.
Previously, presidential sister and reelected Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that some of her fellow senators want her to be the Senate president.