Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero retained his post as Senate President after a decisive vote on Monday, fending off a challenge from former Senate leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Following the opening of the first regular session of the 20th Congress, the Senate proceeded to elect its officials. Escudero received the backing of 19 senators, including Sotto, solidifying his hold on the chamber’s top post. Only five senators, among them Escudero himself, voted for Sotto.
The four who sided with Sotto were Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, and Risa Hontiveros. Zubiri later nominated Sotto as the new Minority Leader—a role Sotto accepted with gratitude.
“I’ve been a good soldier of this august body since 1992,” Sotto said. “I’m always honored by any position entrusted to me by my esteemed colleagues. So I pledge to perform the duties and responsibilities of being the Minority Leader.”
Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada retained his position as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Joel Villanueva was re-elected Majority Leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Rules.
Villanueva, who was among the four senators who nominated Escudero, expressed strong personal support despite past political differences. “I admit that Senator Escudero did not receive any direct support from me in his past political battles,” Villanueva said in Filipino. “So, why Senator Chiz Escudero? Because aside from the fact that he never lost his trust in us, he never stopped mentoring, challenging, and inspiring us. He truly brings out the best in us.”
Villanueva also praised Escudero for steering the Senate through turbulent times. “Despite all the political noise, all he really wants is to ‘work, work, work,’” he said.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Raffy Tulfo also threw their support behind Escudero, nominating him for the leadership role.
Prior to the opening of the session, Sotto had openly expressed willingness to reclaim the Senate presidency—provided he secured the numbers. Zubiri, who earlier resigned from the position in May 2024, said their so-called “veterans’ bloc” supported Sotto’s comeback. But the tide shifted in Escudero’s favor after key senators, including Villanueva, declared support for his continued leadership.
