The Philippine Senate resumed plenary operations on Wednesday, June 3, after two days of cancelled sessions, following the arrival of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, which restored quorum and allowed the chamber to proceed with a major leadership reorganization.
The Senate had been unable to convene for two straight days due to insufficient attendance, raising concerns over its ability to function amid ongoing internal leadership tensions.
The deadlock ended in the afternoon when Escudero’s presence tipped the numbers needed to formally open session, allowing senators to proceed with plenary business and committee restructuring.
At around 3:20 p.m., the chamber reached quorum, prompting Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to take the rostrum as presiding officer and officially open the session.
This marked the resumption of legislative work after the brief paralysis that affected Senate proceedings earlier in the week.
Following the opening of the session, Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III moved to declare all elected positions vacant, setting the stage for a reorganization of leadership posts.
Gatchalian was later nominated as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was designated chair of the Committee on Rules. Rey Bantug Jr. was also re-elected as Senate secretary.
A major outcome of the session was the reshuffling of committee chairmanships across key policy areas.
Senator Bam Aquino regained the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, returning to a portfolio he has consistently identified as central to his legislative work.
His reinstatement places him back in charge of education-related measures, including oversight of programs and reforms affecting schools and students.
Other committee assignments included Senator JV Ejercito as chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Vicente Sotto III heading the Committee on National Defense, Senator Panfilo Lacson leading the Committees on Public Order and Accounts, Senator Erwin Tulfo chairing the Blue Ribbon and Social Welfare committees, and Senator Raffy Tulfo returning to the Committee on Public Services.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan regained the Agriculture Committee, Senator Risa Hontiveros resumed leadership of the Health Committee, Senator Francis Escudero was reappointed to the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was designated chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The majority bloc, composed of Senators Francis Pangilinan, Vicente Sotto III, Francis Escudero, Bam Aquino, Lito Lapid, Panfilo Lacson, Sherwin Gatchalian, Raffy Tulfo, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros, JV Ejercito, and Erwin Tulfo, credited Escudero’s attendance for enabling the Senate to resume work and move forward with pending institutional matters.
In a joint statement, the group said, “His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else,” it read.
Senator Bam Aquino, in a statement, expressed concern over the strained atmosphere inside the chamber but stressed the need to continue legislative work.
“It’s very strained. Very, very strained. And ang worry ko lang dito is with all of the tension, nawawala yung trabaho. Kasi yung committee mo, diyan ka nag-hearing, diyan ka nagpapasa ng committee report,” Aquino said.
He also called on colleagues to refocus on their mandate, saying, “Hinihiling po namin sa mga kasama namin, na nagmamahal pa po sa Senado, at nais magtrabaho para sa taumbayan… Dito ho kami magdiskusyon, dahil nandito po tayo para magtrabaho. Hinihikayat po namin lahat ng kasama namin na nagmamahal pa dito po sa Senado,… Magtrabaho tayo para sa taumbayan.”
Aquino added that the increased public attention on Senate proceedings may help improve civic understanding of how the legislature works, particularly on matters involving majority and minority dynamics.
With quorum restored and leadership positions reorganized, the Senate is expected to proceed with pending legislative work while navigating continuing political realignments within the chamber.
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