Pia Cayetano agrees to chair Senate ways and means panel — Sotto 

Sen. Pia Cayetano. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Pia Cayetano has agreed to chair the Senate ways and means committee, Senate President Tito Sotto confirmed on Thursday.

“Sen. Pia Cayetano just made my life easier, she has agreed to be elected as Ways and Means Comm Chair!” Sotto said in a text message.

The ways and means committee is currently being chaired by Senator Sonny Angara, who will head the Senate finance committee in the 18th Congress.

Cayetano earlier expressed intentions to chair the education committee, which was also eyed by Senators Joel Villanueva and Sherwin Gatchalian.

READ: 3 senators want to head education committee – Sotto

Villanueva and Gatchalian had since agreed to divide the education committee into two — the basic education and higher and technical education.

Gatchalian would chair the basic education committee while Villanueva would chair the higher education committee.

READ: Two Senate committees for education in 18th Congress — Gatchalian

Asked if Cayetano had given up from heading the education committee, Sotto said: “Acquiesce would best describe her thinking, not give up.

“She is a veteran senator. She can catalyze her education visions thru other committees and in plenary,” Sotto added. /jpv