Escudero unfazed by early leadership talk in next Senate

MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero brushed off fresh chatter about potential leadership changes in the next Congress, asserting that the Senate’s focus must remain on completing legislative work in its final weeks.

Without naming names, Escudero alluded to renewed interest from some returning senators in reclaiming the chamber’s top post. The speculation comes even as the official tally from the recently concluded midterm elections has yet to be finalized.

"Katatapos lang ng eleksyon at bangayan at ingay, sisimulan niyo na naman agad," Escudero said during a Thursday interview, pointing out that lawmakers still have important tasks to complete before the 19th Congress closes. "Tapusin muna natin itong kongresong ito."

Escudero emphasized that the Senate presidency is not about ambition, but about earning the trust of a majority. "The Senate President must have the confidence of at least 13 members," he said, noting that his current post continues unless another senator secures the required votes.

His statement followed comments from a returning lawmaker who said he would accept the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress "if the numbers are there." That senator previously held the post for four years before stepping down in 2022.

Meanwhile, Escudero expressed appreciation to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada for supporting his continued leadership.

The 20th Congress will include new faces and familiar names. Based on unofficial tallies, returning senators include Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Erwin Tulfo, and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, among others. They will join holdovers from the 2022 elections such as Alan Peter Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, and Escudero himself.

While the Senate’s composition may shift, Escudero maintains that now is not the time for posturing.

"Doon muna kami nakatutok, at hindi sa parating na kongreso," he said.