Senator Pia Cayetano returns as Blue Ribbon chairperson under Senate reshuffle

Senator Pia Cayetano was elected on Wednesday as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, marking her return to the leadership of the chamber’s investigative panel following the reorganization of Senate committees.

Cayetano, who became the first woman to head the Blue Ribbon Committee in 2024, replaced Panfilo Lacson after acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva formally nominated her during the plenary session.

Her brother, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, declared her duly elected after no senator objected.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is tasked with conducting investigations into alleged irregularities, misconduct, and accountability concerns involving government officials and agencies.

The election of Cayetano formed part of a broader Senate committee reshuffle that saw several lawmakers assume new leadership posts.

Earlier, Senator Mark Villar was elected chairperson of the Committee on Finance, replacing Sherwin Gatchalian.

Other committee appointments included Loren Legarda as head of the Committee on Basic Education; Bong Go as chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography; Jinggoy Estrada as chairperson of both the Committee on Games and Amusement and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; Rodante Marcoleta as head of the Committee on Public Services; and Villanueva as chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.

Following Cayetano’s election, the Senate also reelected Imee Marcos as chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, replacing Erwin Tulfo.

Meanwhile, Robinhood Padilla was elected chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, while Camille Villar took over the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises from her brother, Mark Villar.

Camille Villar also retained her post as chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.

The reorganization came after the Senate declared several committee chairmanships vacant on May 11 before electing new heads under the leadership of Cayetano.

-Paraluman News