At A Glance
- Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the Senate majority bloc will appoint the replacement next week. Senator Erwin Tulfo is being floated as the replacement.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has confirmed that Senator Imee Marcos will be replaced as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Senator Imee Marcos (Senate of the Philippines)
In a text message to reporters on Thursday, Jan. 29, Lacson said the Senate majority bloc will appoint the replacement next week. Senator Erwin Tulfo is being floated as the replacement.
"For obvious reasons, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, like the Blue Ribbon, etc. is a major and significant committee that is normally reserved to the majority bloc," Lacson said.
He added that Marcos has already been informed of the decision by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and that the change will be discussed during the Senate plenary session next week.
According to Lacson, the Committee on Foreign Relations, like the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, is considered a major committee that is typically reserved for members of the majority bloc.
He clarified that he had no role in the decision, which was reached during the majority bloc’s caucus last Monday.
Meanwhile, Lacson said Senator Kiko Pangilinan is willing to give up the chairmanship of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes in favor of Marcos, leaving it to her to decide whether to accept the post.
"As a gesture of goodwill, Sen Kiko agreed to relinquish the chairmanship of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws," Lacson said.
"It is up to her to accept or decline," he added.