Ahead of SONA 2019: Opening of the first session of Congress

Rallyists march towards Batasan along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address. Downpour did not stop rallyists, composed of groups from different sectors, to show their strong opposition to the Philippine leader's stance on several issues such as the West Philippine Sea, human rights abuse, among others. 

With 266 votes, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) is elected House speaker, putting him at the helm of the House of Representatives and fourth in the line of succession.

Rep. Benny Abante (Manila), who was nominated as speaker, received 28 votes from his colleagues. The losing nominee for speaker is, by tradition, the minority leader.

The Makabayan bloc backed Abante's bid for speaker despite earlier saying they would field Rep. Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna) for the speakership.

Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) abstained from voting, saying he would remain an independent. He was part of the "Magnificent 7" independent bloc in the 17th Congress.

Voting for speaker is ongoing at the House of Representatives between Reps. Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) and Benny Abante (Manila).

The two candidates voted for each other.

Former contenders for the post, Reps. Paolo Duterte (Davao City) and Martin Romualdez (Leyte) nominated Cayetano, while members of a minority raised Abante's nomination.

Aside from electing Sen. Vicente Sotto III as Senate president, the chamber also elected the following leaders to the same roles that they held during the 17th Congress:

• Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
• Juan Miguel Zubiri as chairman of the Committee on Rules, and therefore majority leader
• Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon

Sen. Ralph Recto is elected Senate president pro-tempore, the second highest official of the chamber. — The STAR/Paolo Romero

Sen. Vicente Sotto III renews his term as Senate president after a no-frills election.

Sen. Miguel Zubiri nominated Sotto, while Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Pia Cayetano seconded the nod.

Meanwhile, Sens. Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros abstained from voting. (Photo by The STAR/Paolo Romero)

Sen. Vicente Sotto III is elected Senate president.

Sotto is elected without opposition and with Sen. Pia Cayetano expressing support on behalf of the Nacionalista Party.

The Senate opens its first session for the 18th Congress. Senate President Tito Sotto leads senators elected in the May midterm polls as they take their oaths at the session hall.

With 22 senators present—Pacquiao is abroad, De Lima is in detention—Sotto declares the presence of a quorum.

Sen. Miguel Zubiri nominates Sotto to renew his term as Senate president.

The first sessions of the Senate and the House of the Philippines open this morning ahead of the State of the Nation Address of President Duterte.

The new Senate president and House speaker will also be named today.

The two chambers will meet at a joint session this afternoon at the Batasan Complex for the SONA. (Photo by Philstar.com/Ian Cigaral)