Senator JV Ejercito was elected as the new Senate ethics committee chairperson.
This was announced by Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on the upper chamber’s floor on Tuesday.
According to Zubiri, Ejercito instructed the designation of Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan as the vice chairman of the committee.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros and Senator Erwin Tulfo are also named by Zubiri as members of the committee.
Prior to Ejercito’s election, Sen. Robin Padilla was being considered to be the next chairman of the committee, according to Sen. Joel Villanueva.
Hontiveros is facing a complaint lodged at the same committee for alleged disorderly behavior and ‘witness tampering.’
The complaint, filed before the Senate Secretary’s office by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and two others, enumerates Hontiveros’ alleged offenses including the recantation of a witness in an inquiry led by Hontiveros about purported ‘abuses’ in the premises of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founded by detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
The ethics body will be responsible for ‘all matters relating to the conduct, rights, privileges, safety, dignity, integrity and reputation of the Senate and its members,’ according to the Senate website.