INCUMBENT senators are expected to keep their posts as the 18th Congress opens on Monday, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto said yesterday.

The House of Representatives will also elect Taguig Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano as Speaker after President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s endorsement.

Senators will elect the Senate president, Senate pro-tempore and the chairman of the rules committee who automatically becomes majority leader.

Mr. Sotto told radio DzBB he expects Senators Ralph G. Recto, Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Franklin M. Drilon to continue as Senate president pro-tempore, majority and minority leaders respectively.

Lawmakers will be busy with reorganizing legislative committees until next week, Mr. Sotto said.

Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara is expected to head the finance committee, while Senator Pia S. Cayetano will take the committees on ways and means as well as women and children. Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa will head the public order and dangerous drugs committee, while Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III will take the foreign relations committee.

Mr. Cayetano is expected to lead the House of Representatives in the first 15 months of the 18th Congress, while Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco will succeed him for the next 21 months, as recommended by Mr. Duterte.

Presidential son and Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte will become deputy speaker for political affairs. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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