SENATOR Pia S. Cayetano has agreed to head the ways and means committee despite the stigma of taxes, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters by telephone on Thursday.

Senator Ralph G. Recto lost in the 2007 senatorial race after sponsoring the increase of value added tax to 12% from 10%.

She will replace Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, who will now head the finance committee, Mr. Sotto said.

The lady senator will also head the committees on women and children; and a new committee on sustainable development that the chamber will create when congress opens on July 22.

Ms. Cayetano also expressed interest in the education committee.

Mr. Sotto said there is a growing interest in the constitutional amendments committee, which is likely to be given to an incumbent lawmaker. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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