Future Senate President: Legarda a frontrunner, says Zubiri

THE Senate majority is considering Sen. Loren Legarda as a potential future Senate president, emphasizing that any leadership change should originate from within the majority bloc and not through a formal term-sharing agreement.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his consistent support for Legarda, highlighting her experience and leadership credentials, including her previous role as Senate president pro tempore during his first term as Senate president in the 19th Congress. Zubiri noted that discussions among majority senators have included the possibility of Legarda becoming the first woman Senate president towards the latter part of the 20th Congress.

While clarifying that there is no formal term-sharing deal, Zubiri indicated that there is an understanding that Legarda could assume the Senate presidency after the Senate’s transfer to the New Senate Building, possibly by late 2027, before the 2028 elections.

Zubiri also expressed his willingness to step down as Senate majority leader as part of a broader leadership transition within the majority bloc. He emphasized that any leadership adjustments are intended to maintain the unity of the Senate majority as the chamber progresses towards the latter half of the 20th Congress.