Senator Pia Cayetano was elected as the new chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, January 22.
During the Senate's plenary session, Senator Joel Villanueva brought up the resignation of Senator Francis 'Tol' Tolentino from the post and elected Cayetano as the latter's sucessor.
"At this juncture, Mr. President, I move to elect Senator Pia S. Cayetano as the new chaiperson of the said comittee as part of the majority and that the composition of the committee remains the same. I so move, Mr. President," he said.
No Senators objected with Cayetano's nomination, and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel applauded the majority's decision.
"The minority applauds the decision of the majority. We congratulate our first-ever female chairperson of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee," Pimentel said.
In December, Tolentino stepped down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and member of the Commission on Appointment.
Tolentino earlier told DZRH that his resignation was part of the prior agreement with the Senate leadership that he chose to honor.
