Senate announces new committee chairmanships after latest leadership change

The Senate on Wednesday named new chairpersons for several committees following another leadership change in the upper chamber.

During the plenary session, Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri moved for the following committee assignments:

• Committee of Finance - Senator JV Ejercito
• Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation - Senator Tito Sotto
• Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Committee on Accounts - Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
• Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) and the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development - Senator Erwin Tulfo
• Committee on Public Services - Senator Raffy Tulfo
• Committee on Basic Education - Senator Bam Aquino
• Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform - Senator Kiko Pangilinan
• Committee on Health and Demography - Senator Risa Hontiveros
• Committee on Games and Amusement - Senator Lito Lapid
• Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement - Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero
• Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Rules - Senator Migz Zubiri

This new development came after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore and assumed as acting Senate President.

Gatchalian was installed Wednesday after the upper chamber reached a quorum following the appearance of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. —RF, GMA News