Sen. Mark Villar joins the Senate majority and takes the public works committee
Sen. Mark Villar moved to the Senate majority on October 8, becoming chair of the public works committee and a member of the Commission on Appointments (Daily Tribune, Philstar, Gulf News, Philstarlife). Gulf News put the majority at 14 senators and the minority at 10. The public works committee oversees flood control and road budgets.
The public works panel handles the budget that has been at the center of the flood-control scandal, and the majority shift affects votes on the impeachment, the budget and other bills.
Control of committees decides which bills and probes move, including infrastructure spending.
Switching bloc can bring more cooperation on the budget at a time when the Senate must also hold a trial.
The timing, shortly after an Ombudsman investigation touching his family, invites questions about motives.
Chairmanships are power. Watch how the public works panel treats the 2027 budget and flood-control cases.
DailyDrop Philippines edition No. 5 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 9, 2026