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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Estrada, Marcoleta head electoral reforms, tourism panels

Estrada, Marcoleta head electoral reforms, tourism panels

Published Jul 29, 2026 06:11 pm

At A Glance

  • Detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta were elected to head Senate committees, with Estrada chairing the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation and Marcoleta leading the Committee on Tourism as the Senate finalized committee assignments.
  • Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Estrada remains entitled to a committee chairmanship despite his detention and 90-day suspension, explaining that he is still a senator and a member of the minority, while the committee's vice chairperson will handle its day-to-day operations.
  • The Senate also approved other committee leadership changes.
Detained Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada was elected on Wednesday, July 29, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation, while Senator Rodante Marcoleta, also detained, was named head of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta (MB file photo)
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta (MB file photo)
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri made the motion to elect Estrada, which was later approved.
This was after Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III vacated the panel to become chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
Estrada is currently detained at the New Quezon City Male Dormitory Jail in Payatas, Quezon City, after the Sandiganbayan denied his motion for bail in connection with non-bailable plunder and graft charges.
The Sandiganbayan Second Division issued a suspension pendente lite (pending litigation) ordering him to step down temporarily from his post as a senator and from any other public office for 90 days.
Zubiri reminded his colleagues to fill the majority and minority memberships in each committee so that the legislative process at the committee level would proceed.
In an interview, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian explained that Estrada is still a senator.
"Senator pa rin siya and member siya ng minority. So lahat ng member ng minority mabibigyan ng committee (He is still a senator and a member of the minority. So every member of the minority will be given a committee) but my vice chairman naman who runs the committee," he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Mark Villar will head the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies.
Senator Robin Padilla will chair the Senate Cultural Communities and Public Information Committees. Senator Loren Legarda will chair the Senate Culture and the Arts and Civil Service Committees.
Senator Pia Cayetano will be chair of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals. Senator Camille Villar will chair the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, while Senator Christopher "Bong" Go was elected to head the Senate Sports and Youth Committee.
Senator Imee Marcos was elected chairperson of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives.

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Senate Jinggoy Buensuceso Rodante Marcoleta
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