Chiz staying as Senate chief

The 20th Congress officially opened on Monday with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero likely to keep his post as Senate President, edging out returning Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who had expressed an interest in reclaiming the chamber’s top post.

According to Senator Joel Villanueva, Escudero was able to gather the support of “more than 13 senators,” enough to secure the most coveted position in the upper chamber.

“I am confident because I’ve talked to a majority of the senators. I can say that but, of course, every day is another day; I cannot tell if they will change their minds but, so far, those I have spoken to, they are more than 13,” Villanueva told reporters when asked how confident he was Escudero would keep his post.

Villanueva declined to name the senators backing Escudero but was quick to clarify that nothing is final yet, as no resolution has been signed.

He said he decided to support Escudero because he has seen the Senate chief’s commitment to legislate quality measures.

“So, for me, the decision was easy because we are results-oriented. At the end of the day, you look at the accomplishments of the Senate during his tenure — he really got a lot passed,” Villanueva said.

“And at the same time, his respect for the senators — like during the bill filing earlier, right? — he gave equal treatment to all the senators, whether new or returning,” he added.

Tulfo bros back Escudero

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo said he and his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, are part of the majority that supports the leadership of Escudero.

“I am with Alyansa, so it is expected that I will be part of the majority,” Tulfo said when asked if he would support Escudero amid the Senate leadership row with Sotto.

The younger Tulfo ran under the political coalition of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Marcos administration. He was one of the five Alyansa members who won in the May elections, placing fourth among the 12 winning senatorial candidates.

Minority leadership

For his part, Sotto said he is ready to be the Senate Minority Leader should he fail to take the Senate leadership away from Escudero.

“I am fully prepared, in case I am not elected by our colleagues. I am also ready to be elected as the minority leader,” he said in an interview after he took his oath at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

Amid the developments, Senator Risa Hontiveros said she would rather form or be part of an independent bloc.

She admitted to entertaining the idea of vying for the Senate leadership.

“Maybe early on, I also thought about it, but I think it’s more realistic to be part of the independent bloc. Given the numbers, you can count us in there,” she said.

To unseat Escudero, who has served as Senate President since May of last year, a challenger would need to secure at least 13 votes from fellow senators.

Under the Constitution, the Senate President is second in the line of succession to the presidency, after the vice president.