MANILA. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as Senate President pro-tempore and acting Senate President before the session adjourned sine die on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The election took place after Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, a member of the majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, attended the plenary session following a three-day boycott. Gatchalian replaced Senator Loren Legarda in the position.
Quorum Achieved with Minority and Escudero
The presence of 11 senators from the minority bloc and Senator Escudero provided the necessary quorum for the session. Other members of the majority bloc remained absent.
New Committee Chairmanships
Several senators were also given committee chairmanships during the session. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri will chair the Committees on Rules and on Foreign Relations. Senator JV Ejercito takes the helm of the Committee on Finance. Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III will lead the Committee on National Defense. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was appointed to head the Committees on Public Order and on Accounts. Senator Erwin Tulfo will chair the Committees on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation, and on Social Welfare and Rural Development. Senator Raffy Tulfo takes over the Committee on Public Services. Senator Bam Aquino will lead the Committee on Basic Education. Senator Francis Pangilinan heads the Committee on Agriculture. Senator Risa Hontiveros chairs the Committee on Health. Senator Lito Lapid will lead the Committee on Games and Amusements. Senator Escudero will chair the Committee on Housing.
The first regular session of the 20th Congress of the Philippines in the Senate officially ended with the sine die adjournment. / TPM / SunStar Philippines
