Floor leaders of the Senate of the Philippines
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The majority and minority floor leaders of the Senate of the Philippines, also called Senate floor leaders, are positions held by two Philippine senators who are elected by their respective parties or coalitions as their official leaders. They serve as the chief spokespersons of their party with regard to their business in the Senate.
By tradition, senators who voted for the winning nominee for the Senate presidency in a two-way race belong to the majority, while those who voted otherwise compose the minority. The two “blocs” elect a leader from among themselves: a majority leader and a minority leader, who serve as the chief spokespersons of their party (or, in recent Congresses, internal alliances) in Senate affairs.
The second-ranking members of each bloc’s leadership are known as the deputy majority leader and deputy minority leader. The primary responsibility of the deputy leaders is to assist the majority and minority leaders, respectively, in their duties. During the absence of the floor leaders, the deputy leaders may serve as acting floor leaders. Posts for assistant majority leader, senior assistant minority leader, and assistant minority leader have existed in past Congresses.
The rules of the Senate during the 19th Congress provided for two deputy majority leaders serving concurrently, and a lone deputy minority leader.
Current floor leaders
[edit]The current floor leaders are Joel Villanueva (Independent) for the majority, and Tito Sotto (NPC) for the minority.
On July 30, 2025, senators JV Ejercito (NPC) and Rodante Marcoleta (Independent) were designated as deputy majority leaders, while Migz Zubiri (Independent) and Risa Hontiveros (Akbayan) became the deputy minority leaders.[1]
History
[edit]The positions of majority leader and minority leader of the Senate of the Philippines are similar to the United States Senate's party leaders.
When the Philippines was a Commonwealth of the United States during the 1930s, it followed the American style of legislature. Then, upon the adoption of the 1935 Constitution, the Philippine government eventually patterned its bicameral Congress on the United States Congress.
But on June 12, 1978, when the Interim Batasang Pambansa was inaugurated as mandated by the 1973 Constitution, as the country shifted from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government, it automatically abolished the two houses of Congress. The offices of the Senate majority and minority leaders were also automatically abolished.
On July 27, 1987, five months after the EDSA Revolution that toppled the Marcos administration, the Congress resumed its session 15 years after its abolition. All offices and positions of the Senate were restored upon the resumption of the 8th Congress of the Philippines.
The first majority leader of the Senate after its restoration was Orlando S. Mercado, while the first minority leader of the Senate was Juan Ponce Enrile.
On July 26, 2004, Francis Pangilinan was re-elected by his party to serve as their majority leader after he served a short term when then Senator Loren Legarda left the majority and allied with the opposition to run for vice President against then Senator Noli De Castro in the 2004 national elections.
Majority floor leader
[edit]In the modern Senate, the second in command is the majority leader. The primary responsibility of the majority leader is to manage the legislative affairs and business of the majority in the chamber. The majority leader is chosen by the majority party in the Senate to serve as its official leader in the body.
While nothing in the rules of the Senate expressly states the powers of the majority leader, the position holds significant influence in the passage of bills. As the traditional chairman of the Committee on Rules, the majority leader helps formulate, promote, negotiate, and defend the majority's legislative program, particularly on the floor. By tradition, the Senate president or any presiding officer gives the majority leader priority in obtaining the floor. The majority leader also helps develop the calendar of the Senate and assists the Senate president with program development, policy formation, and decisions.
The majority leader may also exercise party discipline, in consultation with other senior party leaders, with regard to voting on party policies and programs deemed to be crucial. A member who does not support the party's proposed measures may be demoted from committee assignments, leading to a reshuffle in some of the Senate committees.
Minority floor leader
[edit]The minority group elects from among themselves the minority leader, who is regarded as the titular head of the minority bloc in the Senate and is often referred to as the "shadow president." In various leadership changes or so-called Senate "coups," there have been instances where the minority leader became Senate president, while the ousted president assumed the role of minority leader.
The basic duty of the minority leader is to serve as the spokesperson for the party, group, or coalition and to articulate its policies. The minority leader is expected to remain alert and vigilant in defending the rights of the minority. It is also the minority leader’s function to provide constructive criticism of the majority’s policies and programs, to employ parliamentary tactics, and to closely scrutinize all proposed legislation.
Under the rules of the Senate, the president pro tempore, majority leader, and minority leader are granted unique privileges as ex officio members of all permanent Senate committees.
List of floor leaders
[edit]| Italics | Acting leader |
List of deputy floor leaders
[edit]| Legislature | Term | Deputy majority leader | Deputy minority leader | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19th Congress | 2022–2025 | JV Ejercito (NPC) |
Mark Villar (Nacionalista) |
Risa Hontiveros (Akbayan) | |||||
| 20th Congress | 2025–2028 | Rodante Marcoleta (Independent) |
Migz Zubiri (Independent) | ||||||
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Sergio Osmeña and José Clarín served as acting Senate presidents on two different occasions: Osmeña briefly in 1930 after Quezon fell ill, and Clarín in 1932 during Quezon's brief leave, and again in 1933 during his trip to the United States.
- ^ Ran under the Colectivista faction of the Nacionalista Party in 1922, and the Democratico faction in 1934.
- ^ Ran under the Colectivista faction of the Nacionalista Party in 1922.
References
[edit]- ^ Abarca, Charie (2025-07-30). "Villanueva bares more Senate committee chairmanships". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "List of Previous Senators". Senate of the Philippines.
- ^ "20th Congress Senators". Senate of the Philippines.
