The change of leadership in the Senate will not affect or slow down the hearings of the Senate committee on finance, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson assured on Tuesday.
Lacson said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian will stay as chairman of the Finance Committee that is handling the hearings on the proposed 2026 national budget.
“Hindi. Mananatili siyang chairman. After all, part siya ng bagong majority so hindi maalis sa kanya ang finance committee (Sen. Gatchalian will remain as chairman of the Senate finance committee. After all, he is part of the new majority),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio, when asked if there will be changes in the chairmanship of the said committee.
In Filipino: Lacson: Leadership Change sa Senado, Hindi Makakaapekto sa Budget Hearings
But he said there is a chance that there will be changes in some committees chaired by members of the now-minority following Monday’s leadership change.
On Monday, the Senate underwent a leadership change that saw erstwhile minority leader Vicente Sotto III regain the Senate presidency.
Lacson was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, and agreed to be the incoming chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Meanwhile, Lacson lauded the smooth transfer of power, with former Senate President Francis Escudero agreeing to administer the oath to his successor Vicente Sotto III.
“In all my three terms as senator, I don’t remember having witnessed an outgoing SP administer the oath to his successor who removed him. A statesman par excellence, Chiz was genuinely gracious when we went to his office to inform him that Tito had the votes. Thank you!” Lacson said on X.
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Lacson: Leadership Change sa Senado, Hindi Makakaapekto sa Budget Hearings
Tiniyak ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes na ang pagbabago ng pamunuan sa Senado ay hindi makakaapekto o magpapabagal sa mga pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance.
Ani Lacson, mananatiling chairman ng Finance Committee si Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian na siyang humahawak ng pagdinig sa panukalang 2026 national budget.
“Hindi. Mananatili siyang chairman. After all, part siya ng bagong majority so hindi maalis sa kanya ang finance committee,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa DZBB, nang tanungin kung magkakaroon ng pagbabago sa chairmanship ng finance committee.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Lacson na posibleng magkaroon ng pagbabago sa ilang mga komite na hawak ng mga kasapi ng ngayo’y minorya matapos ang pagbabago ng pamunuan nitong Lunes.
Noong Lunes, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa liderato ng Senado kung saan muling naging Senate President ang dating minority leader na si Vicente Sotto III.
Nahalal si Lacson bilang Senate President Pro Tempore at pumayag ding maging incoming chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee.
Samantala, pinuri ni Lacson ang maayos na pagpapalit ng liderato, kung saan pumayag ang dating Senate President Francis Escudero na siya ring magpanumpa sa kanyang kahaliling si Vicente Sotto III.
“In all my three terms as senator, I don’t remember having witnessed an outgoing SP administer the oath to his successor who removed him. A statesman par excellence, Chiz was genuinely gracious when we went to his office to inform him that Tito had the votes. Thank you!” pahayag ni Lacson sa X.
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