Chiz Escudero Appears in Senate Session, Alan Peter Cayetano No Longer SP

Amid the Issues Between the Majority & Minority Blocs, Sen. Chiz Escudero Appears in Senate Session

CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senator appeared in the Senate session bringing a 12-quorum that removed former Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano from the presidency.

The Philippine Senate is currently surrounded by issues. The chamber had no session for two (2) days after the majority senators did not for the session — initially when Sen. Jinggoy Estrada surrendered himself to the authorities. Some majority senators showed their support for Estrada.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is accused of alleged flood control corruption amounting to at least P573 million. The Senator denied the allegation and claimed that he is ready to defend himself to the court.

Then-Senate Pres. Alan Peter Cayetano was one of those who accompanied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada during his surrender. He even made sure that the accused Senator will not be arrested inside the premises of the chamber.

Cayetano’s absence during the Monday and Tuesday schedule for the Senate session did not sit well with the minority senators. The then-solid bloc 11 called for his resignation after he allegedly violated his mandate.

For his part, Senate Pres. Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that they’re protecting the committees as they want the Blue Ribbon’s hearing to push through. Sen. Raffy Tulfo challenged him to appear in the Wednesday session in the Senate if he is brave. The minority senators stressed that work must continue.

Former Senate Pres. Alan Peter Cayetano as well as all the other minority senators skipped today’s Senate hearing — except for Sen. Chiz Escudero who arrived at the plenary hall. Based on News5, the “Solid Bloc 12” made a quorum that declared all the positions in the Senate vacant.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as the Senate President Pro Tempore. Based on the post, following the appearance of Sen. Chiz Escudero in the Senate, the Solid Bloc 12 stressed that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer the Senate president.

“Ito ang malinaw at mahalaga ngayon: Bakante na ang lahat ng posisyon, tapos na ang dating liderato at dapat magpatuloy ang trabaho ng Senado para sa taumbayan,” the Solid Bloc 12 said.

Based on the post, the now-majority bloc said they were not just able to elect Sen. Gatchalian as the new Senate president as they need 13 votes in electing a new Senate president as stated under the Constitution. Here are the new committee chairpersons:

Finance: Sen. JV Ejercito
National Defense and Security: Sen. Tito Sotto
Public Order and Dangerous Drugs: Sen. Ping Lacson
Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee): Sen. Erwin Tulfo
Public Services: Sen. Raffy Tulfo
Basic Education: Sen. Bam Aquino
Agriculture: Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
Health and Demography: Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Games and Amusement: Sen. Lito Lapid
Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlements: Sen. Chiz Escudero
Foreign Relations: Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri