Senator Vicente Sotto III takes his oath as the new Senate President Pro Tempore during a special session of Congress on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy of SPRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was elected Senate president pro tempore on Wednesday.

Sotto was elected during the Senate special session, attended by 13 senators.

In the same session, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was named the Senate president, vacating his previous position as Senate president pro tempore.

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