By Frances Gutierrez
Photo courtesy of senate.gov.ph During the inaugural session of the 16th Congress, Aquino-administration ally Senator Franklin M. Drilon was elected as the new Senate President.
Drilon won by a 17-6 vote against Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who resigned as Senate President last June 5 in the 15th Congress.
Newly-elected senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Grace Poe-Llamanzares nominated Drilon, while fellow neophyte senators Maria Lourdes “Nancy” Binay and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito nominated Enrile.
Drilon won by a 17-6 vote against Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who resigned as Senate President last June 5 in the 15th Congress.
Newly-elected senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Grace Poe-Llamanzares nominated Drilon, while fellow neophyte senators Maria Lourdes “Nancy” Binay and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito nominated Enrile.
Drilon took oath from Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, the youngest lawmaker.
In his acceptance speech, Drilon said that Senate is making history with the 16th Congress, as half of its members are below 50 and a quarter are ladies, adding that this would ensure that issues involving women and younger generation would be given more focus and consideration.
Drilon took over the Senate Presidency from acting Senate President Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada, who made the announcement after the voting.
Another Liberal, Sonny Belmonte won anew as the Speaker of the House, against Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Ronnie Zamora, who became the Senate Minority Floor Leader.
Belmonte received 245 votes and his victory has been widely expected.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile automatically earned the position of Senate Minority Leader after failing to assume the fourth highest post in the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Ralph Recto was elected as Senate Pro Tempore and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate Majority Leader and rules committee chairman.
In his acceptance speech, Drilon said that Senate is making history with the 16th Congress, as half of its members are below 50 and a quarter are ladies, adding that this would ensure that issues involving women and younger generation would be given more focus and consideration.
Drilon took over the Senate Presidency from acting Senate President Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada, who made the announcement after the voting.
Another Liberal, Sonny Belmonte won anew as the Speaker of the House, against Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Ronnie Zamora, who became the Senate Minority Floor Leader.
Belmonte received 245 votes and his victory has been widely expected.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile automatically earned the position of Senate Minority Leader after failing to assume the fourth highest post in the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Ralph Recto was elected as Senate Pro Tempore and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate Majority Leader and rules committee chairman.
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