00:00Meanwhile, Senator Francis Cheese Escudero has proven his mettle as a leader who can draw support from the mainstream and polar opposites in the Senate.
00:09His retention of his post as top lawmaker of his chamber in the opening of the 20th Congress speaks to his growing ability to strike deals and concessions from the majority as we hear more from our Daniel Malalastas.
00:25Majority floor leader.
00:26Senators decided to re-elect Senator Francis Escudero as Senate President for the 20th Congress as 19 Senators voted in his favor.
00:36Senators Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald De La Rosa, and Rafi Tulfo were among those who nominated him to be the Senate leader while Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri pushed for Senator Tito Soto's leadership but Soto only got five votes.
00:53And let me make one more thing clear though.
00:56Yes, I may hold the gavel. I may preside over sessions, issue orders, and signal the start and end of debates. But this Senate is not mine alone to lead.
01:07Hiling at panawagan po ko po sa aking mga kapwa, Senador. Magtrabaho po tayo sa kabila ng ingay ng politika sa ating kapaligiran. Dahil lahat tayo ay nasa isang bangga lamang.
01:20Soto, meanwhile, was chosen as the Senate Minority Leader. While Sen. Gingoya Estrada retained his post as Senate President pro-tempore. And Sen. Joel Villanueva is back as the Senate Majority Leader.
01:34I have been a gold soldier of this August body since 1992. And I am always honored by any position and trusted to me by my esteemed colleagues.
01:48Meanwhile, the issue on Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment was not raised during the opening session. But Escudero said,
01:55Ibig sabihin ba wala ng impeachment trial, SB?
01:58Again, we will do what we need to do in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. The plan actually will be decided.
02:04Senators, meanwhile, had different opinions about the VP's impeachment in light of recent Supreme Court's decision.
02:12Wala tayong magagawa sa Supreme Court decision. Whether we like the decision or not, the Supreme Court must be followed. The rule of law must be followed.
02:20At dapat galing natin.
02:22Well, sabi ng Supreme Court, na nagpalabas ang decision na unspeed to be constitutional. So be it.
02:31Villanueva said they will have a caucus about the Senate's priorities and possibly tackle the impeachment too.
02:39Daniel Manalastas from the National TV for a New and Better Philippines.
