Senate stands firm on Cha-cha - Malaya 06/16/2006

SEN. Serge Osmeña yesterday said Malacañang should hold the bubbly following the change of leadership in the Senate as its position against charter change remains ironclad.

"The individual position of the senators, whether they vote for (Senate President Franklin) Drilon, (Manuel) Villar or Nene Pimentel, does not change. So the anti-Cha-cha sentiment remains," Osmeña said.

Villar is expected to take over Drilon’s post when session opens in July in line with their gentleman’s agreement in 2004.

Osmeña said at least 17 to 18 senators are hardcore anti-Cha-cha while all 23 are opposed to the Senate and the House voting jointly on the proposed provisions via a constituent assembly (Con-ass).

The Senate insists that the two chambers vote separately.

Osmeña said there would be a marked improvement in the relationship between the Palace and Villar, a known consensus-builder like Speaker Jose de Venecia.

"Senator Villar would be on better speaking terms with Malacañang than Sen. Franklin Drilon. That’s an openly admitted fact," he said.

Osmeña also does not see major realignments in the committee leadership "because we have only six months of sessions to go."

He expressed confidence he will keep his chairmanship of the committee on social welfare.

He said the same goes for Senate president pro tempore Juan Flavier and majority leader Francis Pangilinan.

Osmeña said the minority bloc would continue to rally behind the leadership of minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman (Anak Mindanao) said Villar’s ascendancy to the Senate presidency could be a prelude of his becoming a prime minister once the proposed unicameral parliament becomes a reality.

"I think Sen. Villar’s assumption of the Senate leadership is boon for him but bane for De Speaker De Venecia’s bid. I believe Villar has a better rapport with lawmakers," he said.

As Speaker during the 11th Congress, Villar "railroaded" the approval of the articles of impeachment against President Joseph Estrada.

Majority of congressmen welcomed Villar as Drilon’s successor, saying he could steer both chambers towards a "better relationship."

Deputy majority leaders Arthur Defensor (Lakas, Pangasinan) and Edcel Lagman (Ind., Parañaque), in a statement, said the change of leadership in the Senate "will significantly alter the political landscape because of the perception that Sen. Villar is more approachable than Sen. Drilon."

Drilon severed his ties with the administration in July last year when he called on President Arroyo to resign over the "Hello Garci" scandal along with some party mates at the Liberal Party last July.

GOOD RAPPORT

"Senator Villar has a good rapport with members of the House and I believe it might be easier for us to deal with him and not too difficult for us to conduct a dialogue with him," Defensor said.

Defensor said he believes Villar "would not be intractable in his position on any political and economic issues affected by legislation."

Defensor downplayed the possibility that Villar and De Venecia would be pitted against each other for the position of prime minister.

"When we have already decided on shifting from presidential to a parliamentary form of government, then maybe we can talk about him (Villar) being a contender," he said.

Lagman acknowledged "many things can still happen before and after Cha-cha."

He said the relationship between the two chambers will surely be "favorable" with Villar’s assumption of the Senate presidency because of his experience as a former Speaker.

"He (Villar) knows the dynamics of the House," Lagman said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said he sees nothing wrong in the involvement of some state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the information drive and debates on the proposed charter change.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño on Wednesday accused Malacañang of using the SUCs in "brainwashing" students to support charter change.

The allegation stemmed from the agreement inked by the Commission on Higher Education with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges and Sigaw ng Bayan Movement.

The Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom), in a statement, said President Fidel Ramos has committed himself to helping AdCom in its advocacy to push for wide-ranging reforms in the Constitution.

"President Ramos has agreed to become AdCom’s constitutional warrior and wants to personally witness the people’s initiative to succeed," AdCom chair Lito Monico Lorenzana said.

He said Ramos and the AdCom are one in pushing for amendments to the Constitution that will enable the common Filipino to break free from poverty and despair.

"Our paramount concern has always been the national interest. That is why we (Ramos and AdCom) both want to see the people’s initiative — being the only constitutional instrument left — to make it to the Comelec and the Supreme Court. By then, we can say that it is the first big step to victory," he said.

"The AdCom and President Ramos recognize that the people’s initiative is the only modality left for the people to effect genuine reforms and both agree to support it all the way," Lorenzana said. — Dennis Gadil, Wendell Vigilia and Jocelyn Montemayor