of the Committee on Rules, the Majority leader helps formulate, promote, negotiate and defend the majority's legislative program, particularly on the floor. By tradition also, the Senate President or any Presiding Officer gives the Majority leader priority in obtaining the floor. He also helps in developing the calendar of the Senate and assist the Senate President with program development & policy formation and decisions. He also has the power to exercise party discipline in consultation with other senior party leaders, with regards of voting on party policies and programs deemed to be crucial. If ever, a member of his party doesn't vote for the party's proposed measures, he can demote him/her from committee assignments leading to a reshuffle on some of the Senate committees. Minority leader of the Senate The minority group chooses from among themselves the Minority leader who is considered as the titular head of the minority in the Senate and often called the "shadow president". In many past rigodons of the Senate or the so-called Senate "coups", sometimes the Minority leader becomes the President and the ousted President becomes the minority leader. The basic duties of the Minority leader is that he becomes the spokesman for his party or group or coalition and enunciates its policies. He is expected to be alert and vigilant in defense of the minority's rights. It is his function and duty to criticize constructively the policies and programs of the majority, and to this end employ parliamentary tactics and give close attention to all proposed legislation. The Rules of the Senate give the President pro tempore and the Majority and Minority Leaders unique privileges as all are ex-officio members of all the permanent committees of the Senate. List See also Floor leaders of the House of Representatives of the Philippines References Sources Officers of the Philippine Senate List of Senators External links Senate of the Philippines Majority leaders of the Senate of the Philippines Minority leaders of the Senate of the Philippines Political office-holders in the Philippines