From left: Philippine Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Philippine Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has reclaimed the Senate presidency, replacing Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero who was ousted on Monday (September 8) amid controversies surrounding government flood control projects and impeachment issues. Escudero, who was presiding over the session, suspended proceedings after Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri moved to declare the position of Senate president vacant. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada temporarily presided over the session, during which Zubiri nominated Sotto. As part of the shake-up, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was elected Senate president pro tempore, replacing Estrada, while Zubiri took over as majority leader from Senator Joel Villanueva. “With Senator Sotto as Senate President, the Senate is in good hands,” Zubiri said. Estrada then declared Sotto elected as the new Senate president after no other nominations were made. Escudero later administered Sotto’s oath and shook hands with him on the floor. Sotto revealed that 15 senators supported the leadership change. The bloc included Bam Aquino, Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Kiko Pangilinan, Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Migz Zubiri, and Sotto himself. Escudero’s ouster came just over a month after his reelection as Senate president. His downfall has been linked to multiple controversies, including his handling of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, accusations of budget “insertions,” and allegations connecting his top campaign donor, Lawrence Lubiano of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., to anomalous flood control projects. Lubiano’s firm contributed P30 million to Escudero’s campaign and was identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as one of the country’s top 15 contractors for public works. Escudero admitted receiving the donation but denied facilitating government contracts for the firm. “That’s the same innuendo and insinuation that’s always being attached and said just because someone contributed or gave,” Escudero said, insisting Lubiano has been a long-time friend from Sorsogon. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is currently investigating the alleged flood control anomalies. This marks the second time Escudero has lost the Senate leadership in just over a year, having ousted Zubiri in May 2024. Sotto, meanwhile, is returning to a familiar role, having served as Senate president from 2018 to 2022 during the 17th and 18th Congress. ICA/Expat Media

Senators behind Sotto’s return as Senate president

According to Senate insiders, 14 senators supported Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in reclaiming the Senate presidency from Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Here’s the full list of senators who backed the leadership change: Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri Bam Aquino Pia Cayetano Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian Risa Hontiveros Panfilo “Ping” Lacson Manuel “Lito” Lapid Loren Legarda Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo Erwin Tulfo Mark Villar Camille Villar
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