Sotto bares initial list of committee chairmanships in Senate

Senator Vicente Sotto lll. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III released on Thursday the initial list of committee chairmanships when the new leadership in the Senate takes over in the 17th Congress.

Sotto, who will be elected Senate Majority Floor Leader, said he would get the committee on rules.

The following is the initial list of the committtees which will be headed by senators joining the majority bloc.

1. Senate committee on defense—Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II

2. Senate committee on public order—Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson

3. Senate committee on tourism—Senator Nancy Binay

4. Senate committee on public works—Senator-elect Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio

5. Senate committee on finance—Senator Loren Legarda

6. Senate committee on local government—Senator-elect Sherwin Gatchalian

7. Senate committee on public services—Senator Grace Poe

8. Senate committee on banks—Senator Franklin Drilon

9. Senate committee on education—Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV

10. Senate committee on ways and means—Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara

11. Senate committee on agriculture—Senator-elect Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan

12. Senate committee on health—Senator Risa Hontiveros

13. Senate committee on labor—Senator-elect Joel Villanueva

14. Senate committee on justice—Senator-elect Leila de Lima

Sotto said the committee on energy was reserved for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero if he would join the majority bloc.

However, Escudero has already said that he will be in the minority.

READ: Escudero, Trillanes will be Senate minority bloc—Pimentel

Sotto said Poe might also probably retain her chairmanship of the committee on public information.

Drilon, the incumbent Senate leader, has conceded the chamber’s leadership to Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Drilon and Pimentel both claimed that the incoming Senate leader has the support of at least 17 of the 24-man chamber. RAM/rga

READ: 17 senators back Koko for Senate presidency