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Villar resigns as Senate prexy; Enrile takes over as new chief


(Updated) MANILA, Philippines - Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar announced his resignation as Senate president on Monday amid rumors that majority of the senators were out to oust him. Earlier in the day, rumors were rife that a petition for Villar's ouster was circulating. "My dear colleagues in this august chamber, the tenure of the Senate President - as everyone knows - depends on the number of members that supports him or her. I was informed this afternoon I no longer have the support of majority of my colleagues," Villar said in his opening statement after declaring the start of the session. "I therefore tender my resignation and congratulate the new senate President, Honorable Juan Ponce Enrile," Villar said. "You have my support in seeing to it this chamber continue to maintain its unquestionable independence and solid reputation," Villar told Enrile. Villar, who earlier declared his intention to run as president in 2010, thanked those who supported his two-year term as Senate president, counting the time he took over from Sen. Franklin Drilon during the 13th Congress. He said he can "serve fully and sincerely" even if he is not Senate president. He said that after he is "released from the burdens of being Senate President," he will devote his time as fiscalizer, adding that he will have "more time to be with the people in the countryside and with my family." Villar then suspended the session. Palace washes hands Malacañang said it has nothing to do with the change in leadership at the Senate. "We respect the independence of any action taken by the Senate regarding its own organization. The Palace no involvement whatsoever in the senate's leadership change," said Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio in a statement sent to reporters. Claudio extended Malacañang's "warm felicitations and congratulations" to Enrile, adding that it looks forward to "fresh opportunities for greater cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in addressing the pressing challenges and problems confronting the nation." Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo described Villar's resignation as "most admirable." She said Enrile and Villar "will undoubtedly continue to serve the country and maintain the integrity and eminence of the senate." Enrile is president at last Sen. Panfilo Lacson nominated Enrile to be Senate president after Senate president pro tempre Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada reopened the session. The nomination was seconded by Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan. Out of the 23 senators, 14 voted for Enrile while six abstained. Those who voted for Enrile were Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri. Those who abstained were Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent. Sens Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV (detained) did not vote. Enrile was declared Senate President after Honasan administered the oath of office. Enrile deferred all other moves to pave way for the reorganization of the Senate. He said he would be talking with the senators Tuesday to discuss the reorganization. In explaining his absention, Aquino told reporters he was caught in a dilemma as Enrile is known to be an administration ally. "I would have preferred Sens Manuel Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson or Loren Legarda to be Senate President," Aquino said. He said he believed there should be a change in leadership but he wants someone that would make a "firmer opposition." He cited Enrile's "past and present" relationship with his family as one of the reasons for his abstention. He said Enrile was the sole opposition during his mother's, former President Corazon Aquino, administration. He said what could have sealed Villar's fate was his failure to unite the opposition in the Senate. "From the start he never even bothered to talk to the opposition. Nilakihan niya 'yong base niya and it seems he became comfortable with the administration," Aquino said. Estrada remained Senate Pro-Tempore after Enrile asked him to. Estrada said he voted for Enrile because they belong to the same political party but he denied that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, had influenced his decision. "I'm my own man," the younger Estrada said. He added that Enrile stuck it out with his family during their trying times particularly when the impeachment complaint was filed against his father. "Malaki ang pinagsamahan namin. Do you expect me to part ways from him," Estrada said. He, however, said that the decision he made was "very painful." Meanwhile, Sens Lacson and Madrigal believed the C-5 controversy was the main reason for Villar's ouster. "Ito yung resulta ng double insertion privilege namin ni Sen Lacson. Nawalan na siya (Villar) ng moral ascendancy to lead the Senate. The decision was made beyond parties and beyond personalities," Madrigal said. For his part, Lacson said: "This is a collective effort. The Senate leadership had been damaged." On the other hand, Sen Cayetano believed the 2010 presidential elections is behind the move against Villar. "They have been saying from the start of the 14th Congress when Villar was elected Senate president that the playing field should be leveled," Cayetano said. He said he will be observing the move and decisions of the new leadership particularly on the issue of Charter change, on who will seat at the Judicial and Bar Council with the retirement of seven justices, and the investigations that will be conducted. Cayetano said Villar told him that the latter is OK and he should not worry about him. Earlier in the day, talk was rife in the Senate that a move to oust Villar was in the offing. Senator Richard Gordon said it would be an "exciting session" on Monday afternoon. Seen visiting Villar in his office before the start of the session were Senators Enrile and Honasan. Enrile earlier said he was satisfied and contented with Villar's leadership. Enrile is a lawyer and a long-time politician who rose to fame during the administration of the late president Ferdinand Marcos. He rose from being undersecretary of finance from 1966 to 1968 before becoming acting Insurance Commissioner and Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. From 1968 to 1970, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Justice. In 1970, Enrile was appointed Secretary of the Department of National Defense. In 1972, Enrile claimed that he was ambushed, one of Marcos' reasons for the declaration of martial law. In 1986, he broke away from the ailing Marcos with other military men including former President Fidel Ramos. The move sparked the first EDSA "people power" uprising. From 1987, he then went on to serve in the Senate. - with Aie Balagtas See and Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TVGMANews.TV
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