Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri will replace now Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as majority leader in the Upper Chamber.
In his acceptance speech, Zubiri said he was humbled by his colleague’s choice to elect him as new majority leader and vowed to improve relations between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“I will work with the same zeal and same work ethics as I used to during the 14th Congress when I held the same position,” he said.
Zubiri also promised faster movement in discussions and passage of legislative priorities including the Bangsamoro Basic Law and ending “endo” or contractual labor.
“I am willing to spend long days and nights pushing for these measures, as I did during my first term as Majority Leader,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri said the Senate should be respected as an institution under his term as majority leader. He added that he will protect the Senate’s independence from its detractors.
Despite feeling humbled, Zubiri said he has mixed emotions regarding his new position in the Senate.
“I am saddened that it will take a lot of quality time away from my family, my wife and young children,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who has recently vacated his post as Senate President, was nominated to chair Zubiri’s previous committee, the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship.
