Senate poised to change leadership ahead of sine die adjournment

Two days before the last session day for the second regular session of the 19th Congress, the Senate is poised to change its leadership.

This was confirmed by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva in a screenshot of all senators' Viber group chat sent to reporters.

"Agenda for Today... CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP," read his message to his fellow senators.

"Thank you guys for your trust and confidence...Signing off as your Majority Leader," it further read.

According to the report by Nimfa Ravelo on Super Radyo dzBB, Senator Sonny Angara said that there are 15 senators who will vote for the replacement of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The support of at least 13 senators is needed to replace the Senate president.

Over the weekend, rumors about replacing Zubiri were floated anew. This time, the alleged reason was Zubiri's supposed failure to stop the Senate investigation on "PDEA leaks" which linked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano in illegal drugs.

Zubiri is expected to deliver a speech later today during the plenary session.

To formalize a change of leadership, a motion should be raised during the plenary session then the senators should vote who will be installed as the new Senate president, Senate president pro tempore and the majority leader. —KG, GMA Integrated News