Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate President on May 20, 2024.   Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171625359669520240520-senate-leadership-escudero-MD1.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Sen. Francis &#x27;Chiz&#x27; Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate president on May 20, 2024. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday extended support to Sen. Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero&#x27;s election as the new Senate president.</p><p>Escudero on Monday replaced Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri at the Senate helm in a surprise leadership change after the chamber conducted controversial inquiries, including the so-called &quot;PDEA leaks&quot; into unsubstantiated allegations linking Marcos to illegal drugs.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/6/marcos-jr-laughs-off-pdea-document-linking-him-to-illegal-drugs-1957" id="isPasted">READ: Marcos Jr. laughs off &#x27;PDEA document&#x27; linking him to illegal drugs</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/escudero-takes-helm-of-senate-after-zubiri-resignation-1535" id="isPasted">READ: Escudero takes Senate helm after Zubiri resignation</a></div><p>&quot;I extend my support to the new Senate President, Chiz Escudero. His legislative record and commitment to public service have distinguished him as a dedicated leader,&quot; Marcos said in a <a href="https://x.com/bongbongmarcos/status/1792713864557347049">statement on social media</a>.</p><p>Marcos and Escudero are former colleagues at the Senate.</p><p>&quot;I am confident that under his leadership, the Senate will continue to prioritize transformative laws to achieve our shared vision for a Bagong Pilipinas,&quot; Marcos also said, referencing the administration&#x27;s brand and slogan.</p><div><strong>&#x27;NEW PARTNERSHIP&#x27; WITH HOUSE</strong></div><p>In a press conference after his election on Monday, Escudero said he is looking forward to all members of the Senate, whether in the majority or minority blocs. </p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">The President’s cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, on Monday congratulated Escudero on his election and called the senator “a respected figure in our political landscape, known for his dedication, integrity and commitment to the Filipino people.”</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">He added he is optimistic about “the new partnership” between the Senate and the House, saying “unity and collaboration” will help the Philippines address numerous challenges it is facing.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro of the House minority, meanwhile, said she hopes Escudero&#x27;s leadership &quot;will pave the way for a more definitive stand against change and other anti-people measures.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><p>The Senate and the House had clashed on several occasions while Zubiri was Senate president, including over charter change and on the Senate’s hearings into the “PDEA Leaks.”</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/8/house-lawmakers-slam-bato-senate-over-disgraceful-pdea-leaks-probe-1244">READ: House lawmakers slam Bato, Senate over &#x27;disgraceful&#x27; PDEA leaks probe</a></div><p>In his statement, Marcos called Zubiri&#x27;s Senate presidency stint &quot;commendable.&quot;</p><p>Zubiri said Monday that <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/zubiri-on-senate-presidency-resignation-i-saw-it-coming-2153">he saw his resignation coming</a> as he &quot;<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">failed to follow instructions from the powers that be.&quot; </span></p><p>Rumors of a Senate &quot;coup&quot; had been swirling since last year, supposedly stemming from the &quot;discontentment&quot; on the way Zubiri was leading the chamber.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/zubiri-steps-down-as-senate-president-1454" id="isPasted">READ: Zubiri steps down as Senate president</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/jinggoy-elected-senate-president-pro-tempore-1818" id="isPasted">READ: Jinggoy elected Senate President Pro Tempore</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div> <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c5SVUpiLPvw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span></span><span></span></div>

<p>"I am confident that under his leadership, the Senate will continue to prioritize transformative laws to achieve our shared vision for a Bagong Pilipinas," Marcos said.</p>

"I am confident that under his leadership, the Senate will continue to prioritize transformative laws to achieve our shared vision for a Bagong Pilipinas," Marcos said.

Marcos extends support to Escudero as new Senate president | ABS-CBN

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Marcos extends support to Escudero as new Senate president

Marcos extends support to Escudero as new Senate president

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2024 09:36 AM PHT

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Updated May 21, 2024 09:46 AM PHT

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