Villar’s switch to majority boosts Senate bloc to 14

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Sen. Mark Villar joined the majority bloc to help stabilize the chamber and keep its legislative agenda moving, as the Senate continues to tackle the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Gatchalian said he and Villar, longtime friends who frequently discuss the Senate’s direction, share the goal of ensuring legislative work proceeds smoothly and supports economic growth.

He also welcomed Villar’s business and economics background, including his master’s degree in Business Economics, saying his expertise could benefit the majority bloc.

Villar formally transferred from the minority on Oct. 8. He was elected chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works and appointed to the Commission on Appointments, replacing Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri in the latter post.

The move increased the majority’s membership to 14 senators, leaving 10 in the minority.

Villar had already broken ranks with his former bloc on Sept. 23, voting in favor of changing the formula used to determine the number of votes required to convict Duterte.

Asked about the possible implications of the political realignment for the impeachment proceedings, Gatchalian said the outcome would depend on how senator-judges assess the evidence.

He pointed to the presentation of prosecution financial forensic expert Atty. Cabrera, stressing that even a strong presentation would not automatically persuade every senator-judge.

Gatchalian said individual assessments of the testimony and evidence would ultimately shape the decision.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian confirmed that Sen. Loren Legarda had extended her medical leave. He declined to disclose details of her condition but described her illness as serious.

He said there was no definite date for Legarda’s return, emphasizing that her health remained the priority.