Sen. Cynthia Villar (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar got the chairmanships of three committees in the Senate while neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the architect of Oplan Tokhang, is the new head of peace and reconciliation panel.
On Wednesday, Villar, the topnotcher in the 2019 senatorial race, was elected chair of two committees: agrarian reform and environment.
In the first round of election on Tuesday, Villar was named chair of the committee on agriculture and food.
READ: Newbie senators get key committee chairmanships
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa got his second chairmanship of the committee on peace, unification and reconciliation. He was elected chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs during the first round.
Other neophyte senators also got more committee chairmanships in the second round of election.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go was elected chair of the committee on sports, while Senators Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino will head the committees on electoral reforms; and urban planning, housing and resettlement, respectively.
In the first round of election, Go was named chair of the committee on health, Marcos is chair of the committee on economic affairs, and Tolentino will head the committee on local government.
Aside from chairing the committee on public information and mass media, returning Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was also elected chairman of the committee on civil service.
Some senators will also chair some committees for the first time.
Among them are Senator Manny Pacquiao, who will now head the committee on ethics; Senator Sonny Angara as chair of the committee on youth; Sen. Grace Poe as chair of the committee on banks; Sen. Nancy Binay as chair of the committee on climate change; Senator Sherwin Gathalian as chair of the committee on science and technology; and Senator Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III as chair of committee on trade.
Aside from the blue ribbon committee, Senator Richard Gordon also retained his chairmanship of the committee on justice.
Senator Panfilo Lacson will also stay as chairman of the committee on accounts. He was also elected earlier as new chair of the defense panel. /je