Villar’s accession to Senate presidency sealed - Malaya 06.09.2006

SEN. Manuel Villar will be the Senate president when the third regular session of the 13th Congress opens on July 24.

"As envisioned in our gentleman’s agreement two years ago, I will nominate, and with the support of the majority coalition in the Senate, we will elect Sen. Manny Villar as Senate president," Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a press conference called by him and Villar.

Drilon and Villar sealed the transfer of leadership with a handshake.

Drilon said he is confident that under Villar’s watch, the Senate will remain an independent institution and a bulwark of democracy.

"I’m not leaving the presidency of the Senate with a heavy heart. I do so gladly in the knowledge that I could not be turning it over to a more able person," he said.

Drilon said offers for him to head a major Senate committee have yet to be finalized.

Villar, chair of the committee on finance, said he sees no changes in the major programs and policies of the Senate.

"Sana ay bigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na makapantay man lamang sa ipinakitang galing ng ating Senate President Drilon," he said.

Villar said he is suspending comments on a possible Senate reorganization, charter change and if probes conducted by the Senate would continue under his presidency.

"It’s too early. Baka lumabas tayong adelantado," he said.

Villar said his immediate task is to preserve the unity of the Senate in these "dangerous and challenging times."

Villar said he expects majority of his colleagues would vote for him but declined to name names.

"We promised them to keep their names secret until opening day," he said.

Villar added: "Higit sa nakakarami ang pumapayag at sumasang-ayon sa transition."

He vowed to fight against the abolition of the Senate.

On Wednesday, Senate President pro-tempore Juan Flavier said that nine senators had signed the resolution calling for an orderly transition in the Senate leadership with Villar as Drilon’s successor.

VICIOUS ATTACKS

A Senate source said that as of yesterday, 12 senators had signed the resolution. Villar needs 13 votes to assume the leadership of the 23-member chamber.

Pursuant to tradition, the choice of a Senate president will first be expressed through a resolution to be signed by majority of the senators. The plenary voting will be a formality.
Drilon said the Senate under his watch stood its ground against the "vicious" attacks of Malacañang and its allies.

"In the end, the Senate stood like a formidable rock by the bay against the red-faced molehill along the river," he said.

He added: "I’m very pleased that we can face our people with dignity and pride because we, the members of the Senate, stood as one to preserve the independence and integrity of this Chamber despite the arrows of political intrigues ferociously shot into our turf."

"I am profoundly grateful for your unstinting support in efforts to make the Senate the bastion of democracy."

Drilon said his challenge to his colleagues is to "defend democratic institutions and ensure the development of a people made weary by poverty and cynicism."

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang would just push its agenda reforms regardless of what happens in the Senate leadership.

Bunye reiterated the Palace does not meddle with the internal affairs of the Senate.
"As far as the Palace is concerned, it has its own agenda. It has its own agenda of reforms and the Palace is determined to push these reforms," he said.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said in the past they were very much interested in the developments in the Senate, particularly after the agreement between Drilon and Villar.

But now that the political dynamics have changed, Defensor said they would observe a hands-off policy. – Dennis Gadil and Jocelyn Montemayor