Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday, September 8 was elected as the new Senate President as Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero steps down from the post, following criticisms that stemmed from controversies surrounding the government’s flood control program.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had earlier expressed outrage over what he considers is the worst corruption scandal to hit his administration.

Escudero was earlier criticized for inserting P142.7 billion in infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget. Later, he got dragged into the flood control scandal after it was revealed that Lawrence Lubiano, who is among the 15 favored contractors that cornered flood control projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was his top campaign contributor.

The proponent of the resolution electing Sotto as the Senate leader were Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros and Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. 

Escudero administered the oath for Sotto, who was accompanied by his wife, Helen Gamboa, members of his family and by the former members of the Senate minority bloc.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said he was the 15th senator who signed the resolution.

With the change in Senate leadership, Lacson took over as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Zubiri took over as Senate Majority Leader. 

Escudero, in his privilege speech, said he holds no grudge or ill-feelings as he serves at the pleasure of the majority of his colleagues. He congratulated Sotto as Senate president and said he is ready to serve as again as a member of the Upper Chamber. 

Prior to stepping down, Escudero signed the contempt order of Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez who is being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee over anomalous ghost flood projects, as his final act as Senate leader.

“During my tenure, Mr. President, the Senate did not shy away from confronting the difficult questions facing our nation. We passed a record number of laws that helped uplift the lives of our countrymen. We conducted hearings that unearthed corruption on a scale rarely seen before. And, in doing so we remind the public that accountability is not a mere empty rhetoric but a duty that we must all uphold,” Escudero said.

“I am proud of what the Senate has accomplished together, and I trust that the spirit of transparency and courage that have been displayed by this Chamber will be sustained. Sana po ipagpatuloy natin ito. Let justice and the rule of law be done and followed ‘though the heavens may fall’,” he said. 

Sotto, in his acceptance speech, vowed to gain back the public’s trust and confidence in the Upper Chamber.

“Our people are enraged at corruption. Corruption that is now seen, heard and felt by the Filipinos more than ever. The failed flood control projects that supposed to protect the lives, livelihood and properties of our countrymen, the dilapidated classrooms for our students, and the lack of quality farm-to-market roads to aid our farmers, all are engulfed in corruption, hindering the progress of the nation as a whole,” Sotto said.

“In 2018, under my leadership, the Senate has firmly stood its ground, in opposing the unconstitutional realignments made in the 2019 budget AFTER the Bicameral Conference Committee Report was ratified. These realignments, amounting to P75 Billion, were vetoed by the President in accordance to the Senate’s appeal and findings. Also, the funding of the Free Tertiary Education is the result of the strict scrutiny of the budget by Senator Panfilo Lacson, where he found some floating budget amounting to P8.3 Billion Pesos in 2017,” he said.

“Corruption is now perceived by our people to be in the whole of government. But with the political will of those in position and together with the vigilance and clamor from the public, we can fight this and bring transparency and true accountability that our nation deserves,” he pointed out.

As Senate president for the second time, Sotto said he will do everything in his capacity to ensure that the Senate will remain cooperative but independent, balanced, transparent and sincere.