Sotto back as Senate chief

Escudero steps down amid flood control controversy

- HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

Sen. Vicente Sotto III on Monday, Sept. 8, was elected as the new Senate president after Sen. Francis Escudero stepped down from the top post, following criticisms that stemmed from controversies surrounding the government's flood control program.

President Marcos had earlier expressed outrage over what he considers is the worst corruption scandal to hit his administration.

Escudero was earlier criticized for allegedly inserting P142.7 billion in infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget. Later, he got dragged into the flood control scandal after it was revealed that Lawrence Lubiano, who is among the 15 contractors who cornered flood control projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), was his top campaign contributor.