Lawmakers considering Senator Loren Legarda as Philippines' first woman Senate president

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said senators are open to electing Senator Loren Legarda as the country’s first woman Senate president toward the close of the 20th Congress, stressing that the idea does not involve term-sharing and does not signal an immediate change in Senate leadership.

According to Sotto, the idea of Legarda becoming Senate president initially surfaced as a light remark from Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan before gaining traction among senators during informal conversations.

“It’s not exactly term-sharing,” Sotto said, noting that term-sharing usually involves fixed or equal divisions of time. He explained that the plan is to elect Legarda as Senate president toward the end of her term and near the conclusion of the 20th Congress.

Sotto said the possible leadership change would take place only after the 2027 national budget is passed, placing the timing in 2028, shortly before Legarda’s term ends. He added that the proposal was partly encouraged by senators, particularly from the minority bloc, who wanted the Senate to have its first woman presiding officer.

Sotto said talk of a leadership change coincided with internal disagreements among senators, including complaints raised by some members of the minority. He said these concerns included reactions to the Blue Ribbon Committee report recommending the filing of cases against incumbent senators, as well as differing views on foreign policy, particularly on China.

He also cited friction following the removal of Senator Imee Marcos as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, saying the majority bloc preferred to take a stronger and more critical stance against Chinese officials—an approach not shared by some in the minority.

Despite the rumors, Sotto said he continues to enjoy the backing of 15 senators and remains confident that his position is secure when the Senate resumes session.

“If that were really going to happen, someone would have come to me to show there were 13 or more signatures. There was none,” he said.

Sotto also said the majority bloc could invite some minority senators to support its legislative priorities or even align with the majority, adding that such a move would not involve any concessions.

“I am a Senate President who treats everyone equally,” Sotto said, noting that committee assignments and Senate resources are shared between the majority and minority blocs.

-Paraluman News