Escudero, others get committee chairmanships as minority senators

Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and other former members of the Senate majority have been given new committee chairmanships as they now form the minority bloc.

Escudero, former Senate President, was specifically granted chairmanship of the committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement during Monday’s plenary session.

Meanwhile, former Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada was elected chairman of the committee on local government; and former Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva was given the committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who previously led the powerful Senate blue ribbon committee, will now head the committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship.

Other senators of the 9-man minority bloc have also retained the chairmanships for the following committees:

• Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation: Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
• Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs: Sen. Robin Padilla
• Public Information and Mass Media: Sen. Robin Padilla
• Sports: Sen. Bong Go
• Youth: Sen. Bong Go
• Foreign Relations: Sen. Imee Marcos

Last week, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III replaced Escudero as Senate President after the position was declared vacant during the plenary session. 

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson then also replaced Estrada as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri replaced Villanueva as Majority Leader. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News