Senators gather for dinner at Pacquiao’s Makati residence

Look who came to dinner: Most of the senators of the incoming 18th Congress — old, new, and returning — went to the Makati residence of Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, amid reports of tension in the upper chamber. (Photo posted on Pacquiao’s Twitter account)

MANILA, Philippines — Several senators on Wednesday gathered at a dinner organized by Sen. Manny Pacquiao at his home in Makati.

Among those present at the dinner are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The other senators there were Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as outgoing Senators Gringo Honasan and Loren Legarda.

Among the neophyte senators present were Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as well as returning Senators Lito Lapid and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Sen. Grace Poe also arrived late and posed for a photo with some of the senators.

“Better late than never,” Sotto said in jest on Poe’s arrival.

The senators gathered amid reports of tension within the upper chamber caused by, among others, the issue of committee chairmanships.

In late May, Sotto confirmed that some newly-elected senators had their eyes on certain committee chairmanships held by incumbent senators.

The Senate President said they would explain to the neophyte senators the equity of the incumbent rule used in the upper chamber.

READ: Sotto confirms conflict over committee chairmanships

Meanwhile, Zubiri said on Tuesday that Senate committee chairmanships for the 18th Congress were starting to take shape with several incumbent senators retaining their committee chairmanships.

READ: Committee chairmanships in new Senate start to materialize

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)