The Senate formally reorganized its standing committees on Wednesday, June 17, during the first special session of the 20th Congress, following the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as new Senate President.

The leadership shake-up comes after weeks of political tension that culminated in Gatchalian replacing former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who had earlier conceded the position. A quorum was declared with 13 senators in attendance, including Senator Joel Villanueva, who had previously been linked to the Cayetano bloc.

Blue Ribbon Committee leadership changes

Senator Erwin Tulfo was elected chair of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee), with Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Ping Lacson serving as vice chairs. Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said all members of the majority, except Senator Chiz Escudero, will sit as members of the panel.

Key committee chairmanships

The reorganization also saw new chairpersons appointed across major committees:

• Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
  -Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform
  -Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes
  -Justice and Human Rights
  
  
• Sen. Bam Aquino
  -Basic Education
  -Science and Technology
  -Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship

• Sen. Risa Hontiveros
  -Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality
  -Health and Demography
  -Economic Affairs
  
  
• Sen. Tito Sotto
  -Ethics and Privileges
  -National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
  -Electoral Reforms and People's Participation
  
  
• Sen. Erwin Tulfo
  -Energy
  -Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
  -Environment
  
  Sen. Raffy Tulfo
  -Migrant Workers
  -Public Works
  
  
• Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
  -Rules
  -Foreign Relations
  
  
• Sen. JV Ejercito
  -Finance
  -Local Government
  
  
• Sen. Ping Lacson
  -Ways and Means
  -Public Order and Dangerous Drugs
  
  
• Sen. Lito lapid
  -Games and Amusement
  
  
• Sen Chiz Escudero
  -Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement
  
  
• Sen. Joel Villanueva
  -Higher, Technical and Vocational Education – Sen. Joel Villanueva
  -Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development