MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson has replaced Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following a major shakeup in the Senate leadership with the ouster of Sen. Chiz Escudero as president of the chamber.

Newly installed Senate President Tito Sotto III on Monday evening confirmed that Lacson will now lead the blue ribbon panel, touted as the most powerful committee in the Senate.

The committee is tasked to investigate irregularities in government.

Lacson, also installed as Senate president pro tempore replacing Jinggoy Estrada, is now with the majority bloc while Marcoleta, together with the so-called "Duterte" senators, formed the new minority group.

Zubiri, who was ousted as Senate chief in May 2024, was elected as Senate majority leader.

Lacson replaces Marcoleta as Blue Ribbon panel chairman

Sotto and the majority bloc immediately held a caucus to discuss the reorganization of committee chairmanships.

Lacson replaces Marcoleta as Blue Ribbon panel chairman, This news data comes from:http://ua.yamato-syokunin.com

Sotto said the Blue Ribbon chairman “is reserved for the majority [bloc]."