Senate creates deputy majority floor leaders posts; Ejercito clinches a slot

FILE PHOTO: Senator JV Ejercito (left) and Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri (right). INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is creating deputy majority floor leaders positions, and Senator JV Ejercito has secured a slot.

This development was revealed by Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri, who also said they are still determining who the second deputy majority floor leader would be.

“What we agreed upon is the creation of deputy majority floor leaders. So, there will be a senior deputy majority floor leader—a majority floor leader, dalawang (two) senior deputy majority floor leaders,” he explained in an ambush interview at the Senate.

“I know Senator JV is one and we’re reserving the other. We’re still deciding who would be another kasi kailangan din ng tulong ni Senator Joel [Villanueva] hindi basta — God forbid, kung let’s say ma-COVID — wala tayong majority leader. Dapat may assistant majority leader,” he added.

(I know Senator JV is one and we’re reserving the other. We’re still deciding who would be another because Senator Joel also needs help — God forbid, let’s say he gets COVID-19 — we will not have a majority leader. There should be an assistant majority leader.)

Zubiri earlier said Villanueva would be the next Senate majority leader.

READ: Supermajority, family ties shape new Senate

Zubiri and Villanueva are reelectionist senators while Ejercito is a returning senator.

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