Majority leader Villanueva named as Senate’s caretaker

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) – Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva will act as the upper chamber’s officer-in-charge in the next two weeks during the session break.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assigned Villanueva to be the Senate’s caretaker while he is on leave from June 3 to 15.

According to Rule IV of the Rules of the Senate, “in the case of the temporary absence of the Senate President or the Senate President Pro-Tempore, the Majority Leader or in his absence, any of the two Deputy Majority Leaders, or any member designated by the President shall discharge the powers and duties of the President.”

Villanueva said work continues in the Senate as there will still be hearings during the session break.

“Business as usual po tayo dito sa Senado kahit nag-adjourn na po tayo sine die nitong Miyerkules,” Villanueva said in a statement.

[Translation: It will be business as usual in the Senate even though we already declared sine die adjournment last Wednesday.]

“Hindi po natatapos ang trabaho natin dito sa Senado (Our work is not yet done in the Senate). Our colleagues have expressed to continue conducting hearings during the break.”

Before the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress’ First Regular Session, the Senate was able to pass several landmark legislations such as the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, Extension of the Period of Availment of the Estate Tax Amnesty, Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans, among others.