Escudero leads CA’s 1st plenary; Hontiveros named minority leader

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Oath-taking ceremony of the new members of the Commission of Appointments, led by Senate of the Philippines President Francis Escudero, at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday (Aug. 26, 2025). (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The Commission on Appointments (CA) of the 20th Congress convened its first organizational meeting and plenary session on Tuesday, with Senate President Francis Escudero administering the oath of its newly elected members and officers.

Escudero, who chairs the 25-member constitutional body, thanked members of the Senate and the House for attending despite bad weather and suspension of work in the executive branch.

“At the outset, the chair would like to thank the presence of everyone. The inclement weather notwithstanding, and the suspension of work in government by the executive, the Senate has a constitutional duty to constitute the CA within 30 days from the time the House and the Senate are organized,” Escudero said.

During the session, the CA elected Pangasinan Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. as vice chairperson, Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo as majority leader, Senator Joel Villanueva and Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. as assistant majority leaders, Senator Risa Hontiveros as minority leader, and Rep. Antonio Albano and LPGMA Rep. Allan Ty as assistant minority leaders.

The plenary also designated chairpersons for the standing committees, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada (Foreign Affairs), Rep. Jose Aquino II (National Defense), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (Finance), Senator Mark Villar (Budget and Management), Senator Rodante Marcoleta (Justice and Judicial and Bar Council), Rep. Romeo Acop (Agriculture), Rep. Roy Loyola (Transportation and Public Works and Highways), Senator Raffy Tulfo (Education), Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. (Labor, Employment, Social Welfare and Migrant Workers), Senator Bong Go (Health), Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (Trade and Industry), Rep. Arnie Fuentebella (Tourism and Economic Development), Senator JV Ejercito (Environment and Natural Resources), Rep. Eddiebong Plaza (Science and Technology), Senator Loren Legarda (Interior and Local Government), Senator Joel Villanueva (Constitutional Commissions and Offices), Senator Risa Hontiveros (Agrarian Reform), Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. (Executive Secretary, Presidential Communications Office, and Philippine Space Agency), Senator Ronald Dela Rosa (Energy), Rep. Antonio Albano (Accounts), Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo (Rules and Resolutions), Rep. Jose Aquino II (Ethics), Rep. Allan Ty (ICT), and Senator Imee Marcos (Human Settlements and Urban Development).

From the Senate, the members include Senators Ronald Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Mark Villar. Minority members are Senators Zubiri, Hontiveros, and Legarda.

Hontiveros, who was nominated by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Zubiri, expressed gratitude for her election as the CA’s minority leader.

“We will work hard to ensure that the CA conscientiously fulfills its mandate in confirming or rejecting key appointments by the President. Pagsisikapan natin na tanging ang mga indibidwal na may sapat na kwalipikasyon at pagmamahal sa bayan ang makakalusot sa proseso ng CA confirmation (We will strive to make sure only individuals with proper qualifications and love for country will pass the CA confirmation process),” she added.

The CA is mandated by the 1987 Constitution to confirm or reject presidential appointments, including heads of executive departments, ambassadors, public ministers and consuls, and senior military officers.