Smeared with heavy criticisms over his rulings on the impeachment case filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Francis Escudero remained trusted to retain his position as Senate President after getting the vote of 19 senators of the 20th Congress.

During the election held at the opening Senate session for the 20th Congress, Escudero won over returning Senator Vicente Sotto III, who used to hold the top post of the Upper House.

Under Senate rules, Sotto automatically becomes the minority leader. Senator Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda and
Risa Hontiveros will be members of the minority bloc for voting for Sotto.

Senator Joel Villanueva was voted as Senate Majority Leader and chair of the Committee on Rules while Senator Jinggoy Estrada retain his position as President Pro Tempore.

Escudero won the votes of returning Senators Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino who were previously linked to an opposition bloc with Hontiveros and Zubiri.

Four senators took turns in nominating Escudero for the presidency.

Villanueva, who was the first to take the floor to nominate Escudero, admitted not supporting Escudero when he ran for vice president in 2016 and when he “aimed for the” Senate presidency during the last congress.

“So, why am I nominating Senator Chiz Escudero? It is because aside from the fact that continued to trust us, he never stopped mentoring, daring and encouraging us,” said Villanueva.

Also formally proposing to allow Escudero to remain the head of the Senate were Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Raffy Tulfo.

In his speech before colleagues and dignitaries, Escudero rallied fellow senators to focus on unity, responsibility, and results.

"This Senate is not mine alone to lead. The direction we will take will never be determined by a single hand, much less my hand, but by twenty-four heads—each with a mandate, each with a mind, each with a voice that matters," he said.

He also reminded lawmakers to rise above partisanship and pursue legislation grounded in public service and national interest.

"Let us carry out this collective duty with humility, integrity, and purpose as we begin this new chapter of the Senate together," Escudero said.