MANILA, Philippines — Riding on the “supermajority” he had consolidated in recent weeks, Sen. Francis Escudero has retained his post as Senate president, clinching a 19-5 vote as the 20th Congress opened yesterday.
Nominated by Sen. Joel Villanueva, Escudero retained the chamber’s top post despite criticism from detractors that he secured support by allegedly stalling the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Among the senators who voted for Escudero were those from the Duterte bloc: Senators Ronald dela Rosa, who seconded his nomination; Bong Go, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos and siblings Mark and Camille Villar.
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Villanueva, who helped Escudero whip up votes for their much-touted supermajority, were elected Senate president pro tempore and majority leader, respectively.
Joining the supermajority are Senators JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid and siblings Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano and Raffy and Erwin Tulfo.
Senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan also confirmed their rumored alliance with the Escudero-led majority.
In a speech following Escudero’s oath as Senate President, Pangilinan admitted that he was not a political ally of the administration but stressed that alliances do not matter for as long as the chamber is able to contribute to efforts at ensuring food security.
“In the end, to reassure our voters and supporters, I say that our aligning with the majority does not and will not undermine our ability to remain fiercely independent as a senator of the Republic,” Pangilinan said, stressing how some of the most renowned senators joined the majority even if they were also aligned with the minority.
“I have witnessed political alignments rearranged and reconfigured repeatedly but what is long lasting, what has permanence, what has stability and certainty, are the landmark pieces of legislation marshalled by effective, experienced and dedicated chairpersons of Senate committees that enact into law, and enacted into law that have a direct, meaningful and lasting impact in the uplifting of the lives of millions of our kababayans,” he added.
Sotto leads minority
Sen. Vicente Sotto III, nominated by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, voted for Escudero in a gesture of parliamentary courtesy. In losing, Sotto became minority leader.
With him in the minority are Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Risa Hontiveros. Escudero likewise voted for Sotto.
Meanwhile, senators also reelected Renato Bantug Jr. as secretary of the Senate, while retired Maj. Gen. Mao Alapascua, nominated by his Philippine Military Academy classmate Dela Rosa, was named sergeant at arms.
‘No to mob rule’
In his speech, Escudero pushed back against critics of the chamber, emphasizing its institutional independence and its readiness to uphold the Constitution and rule of law even under public pressure.
“We should not and cannot bow to a mob. We will not be cowed by the shrillest of voices. We will stand up for what is right, what is just and what is consistent with the Rule of Law and our Constitution,” he said.
Acknowledging the divide in the chamber, Escudero emphasized that dissent and disagreement are essential in a democratic society.
“I’m calling on my fellow senators, let’s work together amid the noise of politics,” he said in Filipino.
He also appealed to his colleagues to look past their political differences and come together in the service of the nation.
“That we disagree does not mean that you are right and I am wrong, or that I am right and you are wrong. Nobody has a monopoly of good ideas, intentions and plans for our country. Nor does anyone have a monopoly of love for our country,” he added.
The Senate leader outlined a list of priorities – ranging from job creation, agriculture and education to health care, justice reform, disaster preparedness and national security – and called on lawmakers to keep the ordinary Filipino at the center of policymaking.
“Ultimately, every act we take, every law we make, must pass a single test: ‘Makakatulong ba ito sa ordinaryong Pilipino (Will this help ordinary Filipinos)?’ This is our duty. This is our mandate. At inuulit ko… magtrabaho tayo!