President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines

Last updated

President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
Senator Panfilo Lacson and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo (2025) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Panfilo Lacson
since September 8, 2025
Senate of the Philippines
Style
Seat GSIS Building, Pasay
AppointerElected by the Senate
Term length At the Senate's pleasure; elected at the beginning of the new Congress by a majority of the senators-elect, and upon a vacancy during a Congress.
Inaugural holder Espiridion Guanco
Formation1919;106 years ago (1919)
Website Senate of the Philippines

The president pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines is the second highest-ranking official of the Senate of the Philippines. During the absence of the president of the Senate, the president pro tempore presides over the Senate.

Contents

By tradition, the president pro tempore is elected by a majority vote immediately after the Senate president during the opening of a new Congress, or whenever the position becomes vacant. Although the American custom of electing the most senior member of the majority party as the president pro tempore is not exclusively followed, there have been instances in past Senates when senior members of the majority party have been elected to the position. [1]

The incumbent president pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines is Panfilo Lacson. [2]

Powers and duties

According to Rule IV, Section 4 of the Rules of the Senate, the president pro tempore is mandated to discharge the powers and duties of the Senate president in the following cases: [3]

Section 20 of Rule X of the Senate Rules also provide that along with the floor leaders, the president pro tempore is an ex officio member of all permanent committees, and may also be elected chairperson of any of the committees.

History

Senate President Koko Pimentel (right) congratulates Ralph Recto (left) after his election as President pro tempore of the Senate on February 27, 2017. Senate President Koko Pimentel congratulates Ralph Recto in his election as Senate President Pro Tempore.jpg
Senate President Koko Pimentel (right) congratulates Ralph Recto (left) after his election as President pro tempore of the Senate on February 27, 2017.

The Philippine Senate did not have a president pro tempore from its establishment in 1916 until the 5th Legislature, when Espiridion Guanco of the Nacionalista Party was elected to the position in 1919. [4] Sergio Osmeña became the first president pro tempore to serve as acting Senate president when Manuel Quezon went ill in 1930. [5] He is also the longest to serve as president pro tempore in Senate history. In 1932, José Clarín acted as the Senate president when Quezon went on leave. [6] Upon Clarín's death in 1935, José Avelino would briefly serve as president pro tempore until the Senate was abolished in favor of a unicameral National Assembly.

The Senate was then restored by the constitutional amendment in 1940, but senators elected in 1941 were not able to assume office due to the outbreak of World War II. Congress would only reconvene by 1945, and Elpidio Quirino was elected as president pro tempore alongside Manuel Roxas as Senate president. [7]

Jose Roy served as the last president pro tempore of the Senate when it was abolished for a second time in 1972 upon the declaration of martial law. [8] Teofisto Guingona Jr. served as president pro tempore of the reestablished Senate from 1987 to 1990, and was succeeded by Sotero Laurel. In 1993, the Senate elected Leticia Ramos-Shahani as its first female president pro tempore. [9] Ramos-Shahani was the first female lawmaker in history to serve as a deputy presiding officer in either houses of Congress. When Marcelo Fernan resigned the Senate presidency in June 1999 due to failing health, president pro tempore Blas Ople was designated as acting presiding officer, until he himself was elected president nearly a month later. [10]

In June 2022, Juan Miguel Zubiri became the first majority floor leader to concurrently serve as president pro tempore after he was elected to the position to allow the Senate to discharge its administrative functions without interruption while then-Senate president Tito Sotto was nearing the end of his term. [11] Loren Legarda, then the most senior senator in the 19th Congress, was elected as the second and, to date, the last female Senate president pro tempore. [12]

On September 8, 2025, Panfilo Lacson was elected president pro tempore of the Senate, [13] the oldest senator in history to assume the position.

List of Senate presidents pro tempore

All senators from 1941 onwards were elected at-large, with the whole Philippines as one constituency.

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officeParty/CoalitionSenate PresidentLegislature
Took officeLeft office
Espiridion Guanco in 1917.jpg Espiridion Guanco
Senator for the 8th District
(1874–1925)
[14]
July 21,
1919
October 27,
1922
Nacionalista Manuel L. Quezon 5th Legislature
Senator Sergio Osmena (1935).png
Sergio Osmeña
Senator for the 10th District
(1878–1961)
[15]
October 27,
1922
July 16,
1934
Nacionalista Unipersonalista
(until 1925)
6th Legislature
Nacionalista
(from 1925)
7th Legislature
8th Legislature
9th Legislature
Jose Aniceto Clarin.jpg José Clarín
Senator for the 11th District
(1879–1935)
[16]
July 16,
1934
June 2,
1935
Nacionalista Democratico 10th Legislature
Jose Avelino studio photo.jpg José Avelino
Senator for the 9th District
(1890–1986)
[16]
June 2,
1935
November 15, 1935 Nacionalista Democratico
Senate abolished
(1935–1945)
ElpidioQuirino.jpg Elpidio Quirino
(1890–1956)
[7]
June 9,
1945
May 25,
1946
Nacionalista
(until 1946)
Manuel Roxas 1st Commonwealth Congress
Liberal
(from 1946)
Melecio Arranz.jpg Melecio Arranz
(1888–1966)
[17]
May 25,
1946
December 30,
1949
Liberal José Avelino 2nd Commonwealth Congress
1st Congress
Mariano Jesús Cuenco
Quintin Paredes photo.jpg Quintín Paredes
(1884–1973)
[18]
January 31,
1950
March 5,
1952
Liberal 2nd Congress
Esteban Raymundo Abada's passport application.jpg Esteban Abada
(1896–1957)
March 5,
1952
May 7,
1952
Liberal Quintín Paredes
Camilo Osías
Eulogio Rodriguez
Manuel C Briones (cropped).png Manuel Briones
(1896–1957)
[19]
May 7,
1952
April 17,
1953
Nacionalista
Jose Zulueta portrait.jpg Jose Zulueta
(1889–1972)
April 17,
1953
April 30,
1953
Liberal Camilo Osías
Manuel C Briones (cropped).png Manuel Briones
(1896–1957)
[19]
April 30,
1953
December 30,
1957
Nacionalista
Jose Zulueta
Eulogio Rodriguez
3rd Congress
Fernando Lopez Sr.jpg Fernando Lopez
(1904–1993)
[20]
January 27,
1958
December 30,
1965
Nacionalista 4th Congress
5th Congress
Ferdinand Marcos
Lorenzo Sumulong.jpg Lorenzo Sumulong
(1905–1997)
[21]
January 17,
1966
January 26,
1967
Nacionalista Arturo Tolentino 6th Congress
Camilo Osias studio photo.jpg Camilo Osías
(1889–1976)
[22]
January 26,
1967
1967 Liberal Gil Puyat
Senator Jose J. Roy.jpg Jose Roy
(1904–1986)
[23]
1967January 17,
1973
Nacionalista
7th Congress
Senate abolished
(1973–1987)
Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr.jpg Teofisto Guingona Jr.
(born 1928)
[24]
July 27,
1987
July 23,
1990
Liberal Jovito Salonga 8th Congress
The Honorable Sotero H. Laurel (Senator of the Philippines).png
Sotero Laurel
(1918–2009)
[24]
July 23,
1990
January 18,
1992
Nacionalista
Senator Ernesto Maceda.jpg Ernesto Maceda
(1935–2016)
[25]
January 18,
1992
January 18,
1993
NPC Neptali Gonzales
9th Congress
Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr.jpg Teofisto Guingona Jr.
(born 1928)
[26]
January 18,
1993
July 6,
1993
Lakas Edgardo Angara
10th Congress
Vacant
(July 6–July 26, 1993)
Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani.jpg Leticia Ramos-Shahani
(1929–2017)
[27]
July 26,
1993
October 10,
1996
Lakas
Neptali Gonzales
Blas Ople 2.jpg Blas Ople
(1927–2003)
[10]
October 10,
1996
July 26,
1999
LDP
(until 1997)
Ernesto Maceda
LAMMP
(from 1997)
Neptali Gonzales
Marcelo Fernan
The Honorable John Henry Osmena (Senator of the Philippines).jpg
John Henry Osmeña
(1935–2021)
[28]
July 26,
1999
July 12,
2000
LAMMP Blas Ople 11th Congress
Blas Ople 2.jpg Blas Ople
(1927–2003)
[10]
July 12,
2000
June 30,
2001
LAMMP Franklin Drilon
Nene Pimentel
Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Manny Villar (2006) (cropped).jpg Manny Villar
(born 1949)
[29]
July 23,
2001
August 12,
2002
Independent Franklin Drilon 12th Congress
Senator Juan Flavier Official Portrait.gif Juan Flavier
(1935–2014)
[30]
August 12,
2002
June 30,
2007
Lakas
13th Congress
Manny Villar
Official photo of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (cropped).jpg Jinggoy Estrada
(born 1963)
[31]
July 23,
2007
June 30,
2013
PMP 14th Congress
Juan Ponce Enrile
15th Congress
Jinggoy Estrada
(acting)
Sen Ralph Recto.jpg Ralph Recto
(born 1964)
[32]
July 22,
2013
June 30,
2016
Liberal Franklin Drilon 16th Congress
JPPFL Sen. Franklin Drilon (cropped).jpg Franklin Drilon
(born 1945)
[33]
July 25,
2016
February 27,
2017
Liberal Koko Pimentel 17th Congress
Sen Ralph Recto.jpg Ralph Recto
(born 1964)
[34]
February 27,
2017
June 29,
2022
Liberal
(until 2018)
Tito Sotto
Nacionalista
(from 2018)
18th Congress
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (2022) (cropped).jpg Juan Miguel Zubiri
(born 1969)
[11]
June 29,
2022
July 25,
2022
Independent
None
19th Congress
Senator Loren Legarda (Comission on Appointments portrait).png Loren Legarda
(born 1960)
[12]
July 25,
2022
May 20,
2024
NPC Migz Zubiri
Senator Jinggoy Estrada (Comission on Appointments portrait).png Jinggoy Estrada
(born 1963)
[35]
May 20,
2024
September 8,
2025
PMP Francis Escudero
20th Congress
Senator Panfilo Lacson and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo (2025) (cropped).jpg Panfilo Lacson
(born 1948)
[36]
September 8,
2025
Incumbent Independent Tito Sotto

Timeline

Panfilo LacsonJinggoy EstradaLoren LegardaJuan Miguel ZubiriRalph RectoFranklin DrilonJuan FlavierManny VillarBlas OpleJohn Henry OsmeñaLeticia Ramos-ShahaniTeofisto Guingona Jr.Ernesto MacedaSotero LaurelJose RoyCamilo OsíasLorenzo SumulongFernando LopezManuel BrionesJose ZuluetaEsteban AbadaQuintín ParedesMelecio ArranzElpidio QuirinoJosé AvelinoJosé ClarínSergio OsmeñaEspiridion GuancoPresident pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines

Presidents pro tempore who later served as Senate president

President pro temporeSenate president served underYear(s) servedNotes
José Avelino Manuel Quezon 1935Elected Senate president in 1946
Quintín Paredes Mariano Jesús Cuenco 1950–1952Elected Senate president in 1952
Ernesto Maceda Neptali Gonzales 1992–1993Elected Senate president in 1996
Blas Ople Ernesto Maceda
Neptali Gonzales
Marcelo Fernan
Franklin Drilon
Nene Pimentel
1996–1999,
2000–2001
Designated acting Senate president in June 1999
Elected Senate president in July 1999
Manny Villar Franklin Drilon 2001–2002Elected Senate president in 2006
Juan Miguel Zubiri Tito Sotto 2022Designated president pro tempore in June 2022
Elected Senate president in July 2022

References

  1. "Composition of the Senate". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  2. Magsambol, Bonz (September 8, 2025). "Escudero ousted as Senate president, Sotto takes over". Rappler. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  3. "Rules of the Senate" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines.
  4. Sembrano, Edgar Allan M. (July 8, 2018). "American-era bridge in Negros Occidental to be demolished". Lifestyle.INQ. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  5. Senate of the Philippines. Senate of the Philippines. 1997. p. 44.
  6. Our Delegates to the Constitutional Assembly: English-Spanish. Benipayo Press. 1935. p. 260.
  7. 1 2 "History of the Senate - Commonwealth Congress (1935-1946)". Senate of the Philippines.
  8. "Jose J. Roy". Senate of the Philippines.
  9. "Press Release - Senate to honor former Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Senators Profile - Blas F. Ople". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Peralta-Malonzo, Third Anne (June 2, 2022). "Senate elects Zubiri as OIC Senate President". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Bacelonia, Wilnard (July 25, 2022). "Zubiri, Legarda assume top Senate posts". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  13. Ombay, Giselle (September 8, 2025). "Sotto replaces Escudero as Senate president". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  14. "List of Previous Senators - Fifth Legislature". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  15. "List of Previous Senators - Sixth Legislature". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "List of Previous Senators - Tenth Legislature". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  17. "History of the Senate - Congress of the Philippines (1946-1972)". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  18. "Biography of Senate President Paredes". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Senators Profile - Manuel C. Briones". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  20. Official Directory of the Senate of the Philippines. Bureau of Printing. 1960. pp. 13–14.
  21. "List of Previous Senators - Sixth Congress". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  22. The Philippine Officials Review (1st ed.). Pasay City, Philippines: M & M Publications. March 1967. p. 77.
  23. "Senators Profile - Jose J. Roy". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  24. 1 2 "List of Previous Senators - Eighth Congress". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  25. "Press Release - PRIB: Senate pays last respects to former Senator Ernesto Maceda". Senate of the Philippines . June 23, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  26. "List of Previous Senators - Ninth Congress". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  27. "Press Release - Senate to honor former Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani". Senate of the Philippines . March 21, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  28. "List of Previous Senators - Eleventh Congress". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  29. "Senator Manny Villar". Senate of the Philippines . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  30. Nazareno, Rocky (August 13, 2002). "Flavier takes over as Senate pro tem". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A2. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  31. "Photo Release - Jinggoy as Senate President Pro Tempore". Senate of the Philippines . July 23, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  32. Santos, Matikas (July 22, 2013). "Recto is Senate President Pro-Tempore". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  33. Elemia, Camille (July 25, 2016). "It's final: Koko Pimentel is new Senate President". Rappler. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  34. Elemia, Camille (February 27, 2017). "Senate ousts Drilon, LP senators from key posts". Rappler. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  35. Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne. "Jinggoy elected Senate President Pro Tempore". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  36. Moaje, Marita (September 8, 2025). "Sotto back as Senate President, vows to fight corruption". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 15, 2025.