Senate, House elect committee leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have elected the chairpersons of some of the committees that monitor ongoing government operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, recommend courses of action and start public hearings on priority bills.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri presided over the session last night with Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva nominating the senators to lead their respective committees for the 19th Congress.

As the majority leader, Villanueva also chairs the Senate committee on rules.

First to be elected was Sen. Sonny Angara, who now heads the Senate committee on finance, which he also chaired during the 18th Congress, while Sen. Nancy Binay is now the head of the Senate committee on accounts.

The finance committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to funds for the expenditures of the national government and for the payment of public indebtedness, auditing of accounts, claims against the government, inter-governmental revenue sharing and, in general, all matters relating to public expenditures.

The accounts committee has jurisdiction over all matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable against the funds for the expenses and activities of the Senate.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa also kept the chairmanship of the public order and dangerous drugs committee, while Sen. JV Ejercito is now chairman of the local government committee and his brother Sen. Jinggoy Estrada the head of the national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation committee.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian chairs the ways and means committee while Sen. Bong Go retains chairmanship of the health and demography committee.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is still chair of the women, children, family relations and gender equality committee.

Sen. Lito Lapid now chairs the games, amusement and sports committee, while Sen. Imee Marcos is head of the committees on foreign relations and social justice, welfare and rural development.

Neophyte Sen. Robinhood Padilla got the chairmanship of the constitutional amendments and revision of codes committee, as he is expected to pursue federalism, one of his campaign promises.

Sen. Grace Poe also retains her chairmanship of the public services committee while Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. now heads the public works committee.

Sen. Francis Escudero heads the higher, technical and vocational education committee.

The powerful Senate committee on accountability of public officers and investigations, also known as the Blue Ribbon committee, is now headed by Sen. Francis Tolentino. – Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla