Filtered By: Topstories News By GMA News Published May 19, 2026 6:00pm + Add GMA on Google Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. With no objection from the plenary, Villanueva’s motion to elect Villar was approved. Senate President Pro Tempore was the presiding officer. The Senate has elected Sen. Mark Villar as chairperson of the powerful Senate Committee on Finance, replacing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.Acting Majority Leader Sen. Joel Villanueva moved for the election of Villar as chairman of the committee that goes through the proposed general appropriations bill or the national budget.With no objection from the plenary, Villanueva’s motion to elect Villar was approved. Senate President Pro Tempore was the presiding officer.