Senate President Francis Escudero retained his post as the 20th Congress opened on Monday, securing 19 votes after Senator Joel Villanueva nominated him to lead the 24-member chamber for another term.
Returning Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto went unsuccessful in challenging Escudero for the position, securing the minority leadership instead with Senators Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri, and Loren Legarda.
“We are here to serve our people, guided by our conscience, driven by our conviction, and emboldened by courage,” Escudero said during his speech.
Escudero called on senators to rise above political divisions and work toward common goals such as lowering living costs, improving healthcare and education, creating jobs, and strengthening the country’s infrastructure and legal framework.
