MANILA, Philippines – As expected, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III retained his post when the Senate opened the first regular session of the 18th Congress on Monday. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto temporarily served as the presiding officer to pave the way for the election of the Senate leader. ADVERTISEMENTIt was Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who nominated Sotto as Senate President, and was seconded by Senator Panfilo Lacson. But Villar, wife of former Senate President Manny Villar and president of NP, quickly dismissed such speculations. READ: Cynthia Villar on Senate presidency: ‘Depende’READ: Cynthia Villar: I’m not interested in Senate presidencyAside from Sotto, other officials of the Senate are also expected to retain their posts – Recto as Senate President Pro Tempore, Zubiri as Majority Leader and Senate Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 22, 2019 02:25 UTC