Escudero says he started campaigning for Senate presidency last week | ABS-CBN
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Escudero says he started campaigning for Senate presidency last week
Escudero says he started campaigning for Senate presidency last week
Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate President on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate President on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News MANILA (UPDATED) -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said he only started campaigning for a change in Senate leadership last week.
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said he only started campaigning for a change in Senate leadership last week.
Escudero said he began working on the change last Thursday and it was finalized on Sunday night.
Escudero said he began working on the change last Thursday and it was finalized on Sunday night.
He said 15 senators signed individual resolutions of support for his Senate presidency. He declined to give copies to the media.
He said 15 senators signed individual resolutions of support for his Senate presidency. He declined to give copies to the media.
He also declined to share how he became Senate President, saying he did not want to reopen old wounds.
He also declined to share how he became Senate President, saying he did not want to reopen old wounds.
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"Ang pagpapalit ng Senate President is always arrived at through a gentlemanly conduct. I think 9 out of 10 except nung mga unang panahon, ang Senate President di tinatanggal–nagbibitiw, so di na kailangan declaring vacant," Escudero said.
"Ang pagpapalit ng Senate President is always arrived at through a gentlemanly conduct. I think 9 out of 10 except nung mga unang panahon, ang Senate President di tinatanggal–nagbibitiw, so di na kailangan declaring vacant," Escudero said.
(Replacing a Senate President is always done in a gentlemanly fashion, except in the olden times. The Senate President is not ousted.)
(Replacing a Senate President is always done in a gentlemanly fashion, except in the olden times. The Senate President is not ousted.)
ROMUALDEZ AND THE PALACE
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada maintained that neither he, the Palace, nor Speaker Martin Romualdez had a hand in the ouster of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Escudero said he only saw Romualdez during the birthday of some lawmakers, including his sister who is a congresswoman.
Escudero said he only saw Romualdez during the birthday of some lawmakers, including his sister who is a congresswoman.
Escudero also confirmed that he had accepted the Palace's invitation to the Senate for a dinner on Tuesday night.
Escudero also confirmed that he had accepted the Palace's invitation to the Senate for a dinner on Tuesday night.
"Mamayang gabi pa lang kami unang magkikita marahil dahil may imbitasyon ang Palasyo sa mga senador mamaya. Pangatlo na ito, yung unang 2 di ako nagpunta… It’s a social dinner lang," he said.
"Mamayang gabi pa lang kami unang magkikita marahil dahil may imbitasyon ang Palasyo sa mga senador mamaya. Pangatlo na ito, yung unang 2 di ako nagpunta… It’s a social dinner lang," he said.
(I will only see them tonight for a social dinner. This is the third and I've missed the first 2, so I have to go.)
(I will only see them tonight for a social dinner. This is the third and I've missed the first 2, so I have to go.)
Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said no one from the Palace and the House reached out to him.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said no one from the Palace and the House reached out to him.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said claims that Malacanang had a role in the change of Senate leadership have yet to be proven.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said claims that Malacanang had a role in the change of Senate leadership have yet to be proven.
SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS
Escudero said senators would fix the chairmanships of Senate committees on Wednesday. He said he was not expecting to see a lot of changes.
Escudero said senators would fix the chairmanships of Senate committees on Wednesday. He said he was not expecting to see a lot of changes.
He noted that he gave up his chairmanship of the Committee on Higher Education.
He noted that he gave up his chairmanship of the Committee on Higher Education.
He also confirmed that Dela Rosa, who signed a resolution for his Senate presidency, would retain his chairmanship of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
He also confirmed that Dela Rosa, who signed a resolution for his Senate presidency, would retain his chairmanship of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Escudero said it would be up to Dela Rosa to decide if he would stop his “PDEA leaks” probe, which some suspected cost Zubiri his job.
Escudero said it would be up to Dela Rosa to decide if he would stop his “PDEA leaks” probe, which some suspected cost Zubiri his job.
But Escudero advised Dela Rosa to file a resolution as he pointed out that motu propio investigations are only called in times when the chamber is in recess and there is a pressing issue.
But Escudero advised Dela Rosa to file a resolution as he pointed out that motu propio investigations are only called in times when the chamber is in recess and there is a pressing issue.
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