Sotto ousts Escudero: The political realignment in the Philippine Senate
• Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has returned as Senate President, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero in a swift leadership change
Narito na ang paghahanap sa KAMI! Basahin ang mga balita tungkol sa iyong paboritong mga bituin sa pamamagitan lamang ng pag-type ng kanilang pangalan sa search bar!
• Earlier, Sotto confirmed he had the support of at least 15 senators, an overwhelming majority, which led to his formal election
• The change in leadership followed a motion to declare the Senate presidency vacant and is believed to be linked to controversies, including a corruption investigation
• The new leadership includes Senator Panfilo Lacson as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Majority Leader, forming a new majority bloc
Following a swift and decisive leadership change in the Senate, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has officially returned to the chamber's top post, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
Source: Facebook
Like and share our Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Share your thoughts in the comments. We love reading them!
Sotto confirmed the development on earlier Monday, just before his formal election, a move that surprised some but was the culmination of a political shift within the upper house.
In an interview, Sotto revealed that he had secured the support of at least 15 of the 24 senators, an overwhelming majority that solidified his return to the Senate presidency.
The veteran lawmaker, who previously held the position from 2018 to 2022, noted that he and Escudero had a conversation about the leadership transition, which was finalized on Monday morning.
Sotto praised his predecessor, describing him as "very magnanimous" throughout the process.
The change in leadership, however, was not without its dramatic flair. During a plenary session, a motion was made to declare the Senate presidency vacant, a procedural move that signaled the end of Escudero's brief tenure.
Outgoing Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada then took over to preside, leading to the nomination and election of Sotto.
While Escudero's exit was dignified, his replacement was seen by many as a reaction to a number of controversies, particularly the high-profile investigation into alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
Sotto's return to the presidency marks a significant realignment of power within the Senate. His election was seconded by Senator Loren Legarda, and the new majority bloc now includes former minority leaders and members such as Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who was elected as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who reclaimed his post as Majority Leader.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also joins the new majority, indicating a broad coalition of support for Sotto's leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Sotto committed to leading an independent and transparent Senate. He reiterated his philosophy of "primus inter pares" or "first among equals," stating that he would serve as a presider and enabler for his colleagues rather than a superior.
Sotto also addressed the public's growing frustration with corruption, specifically mentioning "failed flood control projects" and "dilapidated classrooms."
He vowed to use the Senate's power to fight for accountability and transparency, a message that directly ties into the very issues that may have triggered the leadership change.
Escudero, for his part, delivered a valedictory address, thanking his colleagues and staff. He affirmed his respect for the majority's decision and said he held "no grudges, no ill feelings."
Escudero highlighted the Senate's accomplishments during his leadership, including passing a record number of laws and courageously investigating corruption, a subtle acknowledgment of the very probe that contributed to his ouster.
He concluded by congratulating Sotto and pledging his support as an ordinary member of the chamber.
The leadership shuffle signals a new direction for the Senate, with Sotto at the helm for a second time.
The change comes at a critical time as the chamber grapples with sensitive issues, and the new leadership team, composed of seasoned lawmakers, is expected to steer the Senate through an upcoming legislative agenda and ongoing high-stakes investigations.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.
In other news, a harrowing video has gone viral online, showing two young girls, said to be sisters, hugging each other after being trapped in a flash flood in Barangay Balogo, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, while on their way home from school. Despite the strong current that nearly took their lives, the children managed to hold on until residents of the barangay quickly came together to rescue them from the raging river. Barangay Chairman Jeffrey de la Rita expressed dismay with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First Engineering District, blaming the agency for the unfinished P5 million spillway project, which he says endangers young people like the two students. While the video continues to spread on social media and move many netizens, the DPWH has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue and their side of the story about the unfinished project in the barangay.
Meanwhile in news abroad, Kristin Cabot, the executive from the viral Coldplay "kiss cam" video, has filed for divorce from her husband less than a month after the incident. The divorce filing comes after both Cabot and her boss, Andy Byron, resigned from their positions at the tech company Astronomer following the public scandal. The former wife of Cabot's husband, Andrew, described the public embarrassment as "karma" for him and confirmed that he texted her after the video went viral. While sources offer conflicting reports on whether the couple's marriage was already troubled, court records show the divorce petition was filed on August 13 in New Hampshire.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
