Pandemic recovery, distressed sectors priorities of 19th Senate
AS expected, former Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri was elected as the new Senate President by acclamation Monday morning, shortly after the 19th Senate opened its first regular session.
= In his acceptance speech, Zubiri thanked colleagues for the trust they bestowed upon him and vowed that the Senate under his leadership would remain independent. In an interview with CNN Philippines later at the Batasan, Zubiri noted with satisfaction the “synergy” he has with the new Speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, who like him served as majority leader during some of Congress’ most crucial periods—notably the pandemic when Covid-19 response measures competed for time and resources with vital tax and economic liberalization reforms.
During interviews, Zubiri had said the Senate would prioritize passing the 2023 national budget that would include funding for a stimulus package, including assistance to distressed industries and sectors affected by the pandemic and current political issues.
Presiding officer during the nomination process for the selection of top Senate leaders was Senator Juan Edgardo Angara.
Comebacking Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who was earlier reported to be interested in being minority leader even as the Zubiri-led incoming majority also tried to reach out to him, manifested that he was not joining the voting process to install the new Senate President, so he is out of the majority, adding he prefers to be independent, as his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano also abstained from voting. Senators Koko Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros also abstained from the voting.
The body also formalized the selection of reelected senator Joel Villanueva as majority leader; and of comebacking senator Loren Legarda as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will lead the 2-man minority bloc, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros as member.
Also elected was Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. as the Senate Secretary.
The Zubiri-led new Senate majority is expected to fill up the new assignments of committee chairmanships on Tuesday, though most of the key committee posts have already been spoken for.
Joining Senator Jinggoy Estrada in endorsing Zubiri for the Senate presidency post was Senator Grace Poe, who described their new leader as one who “walks the line seriously,” noting Zubiri had served twice as majority leader and pushed major pieces of legislation. She recalled that “even Minority Leader Frank Drilon voted with Zubiri” on many key reforms.
For his part, even administration Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa acknowledged the “leadership attributes that Sen. Zubiri posseses,” recalling that “we saw him work hard and does not stop working even when he is weak.
Zubiri said that, “as a Mindanaoan, I second my fellow Mindanaoan as Senate President.”
Zubiri hails from Bukidnon and Dela Rosa is from Davao City.
Senators noted that the Senate presidency and minority leader’s post will be held by two leaders from Region 10, referring to Zubiri and Pimentel, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City.
Hontiveros also noted that Pimentel’s political career mimics that of his late father: Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. was once Senate minority leader and then Senate President. Koko Pimentel was once Senate President and now, minority leader.
Senators also agreed they are comforted by the fact they will be led by “one tried in crisis,” noting that Senate President Zubiri’s combined “strong leadership and charisma can get things done by a committed public servant who passed meaningful legislation.”
The new senators formally took their oath as the Senate opened its session. They are re-electionist Senators Zubiri, Villanueva, Hontiveros, and Win Gatchalian; comebacking Senators Legarda, Francis Escudero, Cayetano (Alan Peter), Joseph Victor Ejercito, and Jinggoy Estrada; and neophyte Senators Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, and Mark Villar. Angara administered the oath.
Remarkably, the new Senate has in its 24-person roster: a motherson tandem (Cynthia and Mark Villar); a brother-sister team, the Cayetanos; and two half-brothers, Ejercito and Estrada;
Right after the suspension of the session, the senators also participated in a photoshoot with their spouses.
After the morning session, the senators proceeded to the House of Representatives for a joint session of Congress to listen to the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.