Pia Cayetano becomes first female chairperson of Senate blue ribbon

Sen. Pia Cayetano, at the Senate hallway in this file photo taken on December 4, 2023. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

[Updated]

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. Pia Cayetano is the new Senate blue ribbon committee chairperson.

Cayetano is a lawyer, economist, and a mother. She has led the passage of landmark laws on healthcare, education, and measures to support economic growth.

It was Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva who moved to elect Cayetano during Monday’s plenary session.

“We are in receipt of the resignation of Senator Francis Tolentino dated Jan 22, 2024, as chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee. At this juncture, I move to elect Senator Pia Cayetano as the new chairperson of the said committee as part of the majority and that the composition of the committee remains the same,” Villanueva said.

Before approving Villanueva’s motion, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III took the floor and commended the recommendation.

“We congratulate our first-ever female chairperson of the Senate Blue ribbon committee,” Pimentel said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri seconded Pimentel’s remarks, affirming the truth that Cayetano had just become the first female chairperson of the panel in the Senate in its 106 years in existence.

“We are very honored that Cayetano is the new chairperson,” Zubiri said.

Senator Francis Tolentino, who used to chair the panel, confirmed in December that he had decided to let go of his post to honor a deal he made with the Senate leadership.

According to Tolentino, he accepted the massive responsibility of chairing the blue ribbon panel with an agreement that he would lead it for only one and a half years.

Apart from resigning as the blue ribbon chair, Tolentino also decided to step down as a member of the Commission of Appointments.