Reelected Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday bared the names of the potential heads of various committees in the Senate as he is poised to be elected as the next president of the chamber.
Zubiri hosted a press conference, flanked by Sen. Nancy Binay and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who was also reportedly running for Senate president. Sen. Cynthia Villar said earlier in the day that she was no longer interested in the position.
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"I would like to thank Ma'am Cynthia Villar from the bottom of my heart for her support, graciousness, and magnanimity in helping me form a supermajority," Zubiri said.
"I also thank all my colleagues who believe in me and put their trust and confidence in my ability to lead the Senate in the 19th Congress," he added.
Under his watch, Zubiri said the Senate would remain independent and pro-people and each senator will be allowed to freely express their views and beliefs.
"Isang malaking karangalan po sa akin na mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsilbi sa dakilang institusyong ito ng ating demokrasiya, at lalo na sa taumbayan," he said.
Gatchalian also endorsed Zubiri for Senate president. "Isa lang ang masasabi ko. Congratulations sa aking kaibigan, ang aming bagong Senate President," he said, referring to Zubiri.
While several committee chairmanships are still being finalized, Zubiri said the following senators are poised to handle these committees:
- Accounts - Nancy Binay
- Agriculture - Cynthia Villar
- Basic Education - Sherwin Gatchalian
- Blue Ribbon - Francis Tolentino
- Constitutional Amendments - Robin Padilla
- Energy - Raffy Tulfo
- Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change - Cynthia Villar
- Finance - Sonny Angara
- Foreign Relations - Imee Marcos
- Health and Demography - Bong Go
- Justice - Chiz Escudero
- Public Works - Revilla
- Social Justice - Robin Padilla
- Sports - Bong Go
- Women and Children - Risa Hontiveros
Zubiri also said Sen. Loren Legarda is expected to be elected Senate President Pro Tempore and Sen. Joel Villanueva as majority leader.
"We will formulate the best possible supermajority in the 19th Congress wherein all the committees will be handled by topnotch, highly-qualified senators," he added.
The Senate is set to vote for its new president on July 27 during the opening of the 19th Congress, the same day that president-elect Bongbong Marcos delivers his first State of the Nation Address.
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