Chiz Escudero retains Senate presidency
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero will continue to lead the Senate, securing his position as Senate President for the 20th Congress.
During the opening of the first regular session on Monday, July 28, Escudero was re-elected with 19 votes, defeating Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who garnered 5 votes.
Among those who supported Escudero were Senators Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Lito Lapid, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Rodante Marcoleta, Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, and Tito Sotto III.
Meanwhile, Sotto received votes from Escudero, Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda, Migz Zubiri, and Risa Hontiveros.
Escudero's re-election was met with endorsements from his colleagues, underscoring the qualities they believe make him fit for the role.
Villanueva articulated his confidence in Escudero's continued leadership, asking, "Hindi pa po ba klaro na tama ang landas kung saan dinala ang Senado?" while praising the latter's impact on his peers, stating, "Hindi po niya tayong nakalimutang i-mentor, challenge, inspire—[he] truly brings out the best in us."
Raffy Tulfo, on the other hand, emphasized Escudero's unique leadership that is required for the Senate.
"Escudero brings leadership with heart. Matibay na puso ang kailangan upang pagtagpuin ang 23 opinyon dito sa senado at balanse ito sa direksyon. He made sure those reasons were backed by reason," he said. "Our nation deserves nothing less."
The session also saw the election of other officials. Estrada was re-elected Senate President Pro Tempore, while Villanueva took on the roles of Majority Leader and Chairperson of the Committee on Rules. Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. will continue as Senate Secretary, and Retired Police Major General Ma. O Aplasca was selected as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Sotto, who won in the May midterm elections, has been named as the Senate Minority Leader. Those who voted for Sotto constitute the minority bloc, while the Senate President's voters create the new majority.
A call for unity amidst diverse opinions
In his address, Escudero underscored the inherent diversity within the chamber and appealed for a spirit of cooperation. Acknowledging the distinct perspectives of the senators, he stressed the need for consensus to effectively serve the Filipino people.
"Some will say we are a divided nation, and that this is reflected, even in our chamber. To this I say, in a democracy, disagreement is not division, and debate is not synonymous with dysfunction. On the contrary, I believe that disagreements, debates, and disputes are evidence that our democracy is alive and well," he said, laying out a commitment to legislation that directly addresses the needs of Filipinos.
"In our line of work, we should not and cannot take things personally, especially in the age of social media, where every citizen has a platform in the palm of his or her hand. We should not and cannot respond to every comment. We should rise above. We should rise above any anger, resentment, and bitterness we may have. We should move on. We should move forward, and we must continue to do our job," the Senate president said.
"We are here to serve our people, guided by our conscience, driven by our conviction, and emboldened by courage. We should not and cannot bow to a mob. We will not be called by the sureness 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," Escudero continued.
Senate as shared leadership
Escudero emphasized that the Senate's direction would be a team effort, not controlled by one person.
"Let me make one more thing clear, though. Yes, I may hold the gavel, I may preside over sessions, his orders, and signal the start and end of debates. But this Senate is not mine alone to lead. The direction we will take will never be determined by a single hand, much less my hand, but by 24 heads—each with a mandate, each with a mind, each with a voice that matters."
He continued, "This is a collective body, and its strength lies in the balance, not in the banging of that gavel."
He went on to highlight the strength derived from the Senate's diverse composition.
"While we come from different provinces, parties, and pasts. I have no doubt this Senate shall prevail despite the issues that have come to divide us. We have overcome them before.
Ultimately, he urged his colleagues to transcend political affiliations, calling upon them to "carry out this collective duty with humility, integrity, and purpose" as they begin the 20th Congress.
This marks Escudero's second term holding the chamber's top leadership post. He initially assumed the role in the 19th Congress on May 20, 2024, following the resignation of his predecessor, Zubiri.
He has served in the Senate from 2007 to 2019, then took a break to become the governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022, before returning to the Senate in 2022.
Escudero's reelection as Senate chief also comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to address the country in his fourth State of the Nation Address later in the day at the Batasang Pambansa.
