The Senate underwent a major committee reshuffle on Wednesday, resulting in the reassignment and election of new chairpersons to several of its most powerful and strategic committees.
Sen. Pia Cayetano was elected chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, replacing Sen. Panfilo Lacson as part of the leadership changes under the reorganized Senate. Her election was made during plenary session after a motion was introduced by acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, with no objection raised from the floor.
The reshuffle also saw Sen. Mark Villar assume the chairmanship of the Committee on Finance, replacing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. Other key changes included Sen. Loren Legarda taking over the Committee on Basic Education, Sen. Bong Go heading the Committee on Health and Demography, and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada leading both the Committee on Games and Amusement and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was named chair of the Committee on Public Services, while Villanueva was elected chair of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.
Additional changes included Sen. Imee Marcos taking over the Committee on Foreign Relations, replacing Sen. Erwin Tulfo; Sen. Robinhood Padilla chairing the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes; and Sen. Camille Villar leading the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. She was also retained as chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
The reorganization followed the declaration of vacancies in several committee chairmanships earlier this month and the subsequent election of new panel heads under the current Senate leadership realignment.
