Senate President’s Leadership Depends on Majority Support
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero affirmed on Thursday that he will continue as the chamber’s top leader until the next Congress starts, unless the majority of senators decide otherwise. He emphasized that the decision rests with the Senate majority.
“Sa dulo, ang magpapasya ng Senate president kung manantili man ako o iba ang uupo ay ‘yung mayorya ng Senado,” Escudero said during a Senate forum.
(In the end, it is the Senate majority that will decide whether I stay or someone else takes the seat of Senate president.)
Escudero also explained that according to the Senate rules, the current Senate president continues in office if no one presents a majority vote to replace him once the Senate resumes session. “Sang-ayon sa rules ng Senado, magpapatuloy ang Senate president kung hindi nag-graduate katulad ng sitwasyon ngayon at magbabago lang yan kung may nagpresenta ng higit sa mayoryang boto kapag nag-resume ang Senado,” he added.
(According to Senate rules, the Senate president will continue in office if they have not graduated, as is the current situation, and this will only change if someone presents a majority vote when the Senate session resumes.)
Potential Leadership Change in the 20th Congress
The Senate president’s remarks came amid talks about possible leadership shifts with the arrival of veteran senators, including former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, in the 20th Congress starting July. Escudero stressed that the position of Senate president is open to any senator from the chamber’s 24 members, not just Sotto, as long as they garner enough support.
“Sino man ang may numero dapat tanggapin niya ‘yong responsibilidad at ‘yong hamon na ‘yon kung nasa kanya ang tiwala ng mas nakararaming senador,” he stated.
(Whoever has the numbers must accept that responsibility and challenge if they have the trust of the majority of the senators.)
Currently, Escudero said his priority remains passing pending legislation rather than focusing on potential leadership changes in the next Congress.
Focus on Passing Pending Legislation
He urged his colleagues and the public to hold off on speculations about leadership battles. “Katatapos lang ng eleksyon at bangayan at ingay sisimulan ninyo na naman agad. Palipasin ninyo naman tapusin muna natin itong kongresong ito may dalawa pa kaming linggo na marami pa kaming inaasahang mapapasa at maihahabol na mga panukalang batas,” Escudero said.
(The elections, all the arguing and noise just ended, and you’re already starting it again. Let’s finish this 19th Congress first. We still have two weeks left, and there are many more bills we expect to pass and catch up on.)
He encourages everyone to focus on completing the current Congress’s agenda before shifting attention to the next one. The Senate president remains committed to his role until the majority decides otherwise.
For more updates on Senate leadership, visit Filipinokami.com.