MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Vicente Sotto III on Monday took his oath as the new Senate president after 15 senators voted to oust Sen. Francis Escudero.
It was Escudero who administered Sotto's oath of office which was witnessed by his children.
Sotto's fellow members with the minority bloc namely Senators Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, and Migz Zubiri joined him in the podium.
They will join Sotto in the majority group. Lacson and Zubiri were also elected as Senate president pro tempore and majority leader, respectively.
Sotto takes oath as Senate president, This news data comes from:http://jyxingfa.com
"You have gifted me the honor of being your Senate President the second time around. To reiterate my statement from my previous election, I did not become your superior, I am simply a presider of your session," Sotto said.
"I am your listener, your adviser if you so desire, your enabler for anything within my power to do so. I am primus inter pares - first among equals," Sotto said.
Escudero said he serves "at the pleasure of the majority and understand and respect the decision of the majority of my colleagues."
"I hold no grudges. I hold no ill feelings," Escudero said as he congratulated Sotto on his election as Senate chief.
- Washington makes military aid overtures to Sahel juntas
- P1.7-M shabu seized in Taguig buy-bust
- Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto attends House flood control probe
- DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- Wawao Builders exec ‘not sure’ if company has flood control project in Bulacan
- Red Cross head says mass evacuation of Gaza City 'impossible'
- Thailand’s next PM reaffirms fresh polls promise
- Comelec delays implementation of decision disqualifying Duterte Youth Party-List
- No winner in lotto draws for Aug 28
- Israeli army: Gaza City now 'a dangerous combat zone'
