The Senate ousted Sen. Francis Escudero as president in a leadership shakeup linked to public outrage over alleged flood control project anomalies.
Former minority leader Vicente Sotto III was elected unopposed as Senate president, with Sen. Panfilo Lacson chosen as Senate president pro tempore and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as majority leader.
Escudero and Joel Villanueva, who also lost his post as majority leader, faced mounting criticism over budget insertions and campaign donations tied to flagged contractors.
In his acceptance speech, Sotto vowed to prioritize fighting corruption and restoring public trust, citing failed flood control projects, dilapidated schools, and poor farm-to-market roads as symbols of misuse of funds.
President Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed support for the new Senate leadership, stressing unity to push reforms and accountability.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 9, 2025
