Team PNoy senators get top posts of key Senate committees

Senators who ran under the administration slate called "Team PNoy" last elections were given the chance on Tuesday to head key Senate committees.

Neophyte Senator Grace Poe, the surprise topnotcher in the May 2013 midterm polls, was named chair of the Senate committee on public information.

She vowed to prioritize the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and "correct" any attempt to include a right-of-reply provision in the measure.

"[The FOI] is the meat and substance of that committee. You should have access to information, but again the reservation is national security," she said in an interview after Tuesday's session.

Poe, daughter of the late action star Fernando Poe Jr., will also chair the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs. The senator said she is ready to head what is perceived to be a very masculine committee.

"'Yung public order and dangerous drugs, kung babae naman yung mamumuno, mawawala 'yung stereotype. Public order and safety concerns everyone, not just the male population," she said.

Other committees

Another neophyte lawmaker, Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, secured the top post in the Senate committee on trade and commerce. Aquino, President Benigno Aquino III's cousin, was a social entrepreneur before his Senate stint.

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III meanwhile replaced Senator Francis Escudero as chairman of the Senate justice committee, which handles impeachment complaints against officials.

As justice panel chair, Pimentel automatically becomes a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, which screens judicial appointees.

"I will enhance the quality of the nominees by being strict. I will also have radical proposals to speed up cases," Pimentel said in a separate interview.

Escudero, who also ran under the administration slate last elections, meanwhile got the top post of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture.

Senator Cynthia Villar will chair the Senate committee on agriculture and food, while Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will head the Senate committee on national defense and security.

Two senators who are aligned with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's party but chose to go with the Senate majority meanwhile retained their key posts in two committees.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. is still the chair of the Senate committee on public services, while Senator Lito Lapid remains chairman of the Senate committee on tourism.

Lapid's son, Mark, is the current chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zones Authority (TIEZA). — BM, GMA News