Administration lawmakers lead Senate

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate on Tuesdeay introduced major changes in its leadership with administration lawmakers taking the helm. After Senate President Manuel B. Villar, Jr.’s resignation on Monday due to a looming no-confidence vote, the new coalition, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile installed Juan Miguel F. Zubiri as majority leader and concurrent chairman of the committee on rules, Richard J. Gordon as chairman of the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations (Blue Ribbon), and Edgardo J. Angara as chairman of the committee on finance. "I think for now it’s safe to say that this will be the composition... That was the consensus [Monday] night," Mr. Zubiri told a news conference. He added 19 senators tackled the reorganization. Blue Ribbon was formerly headed by Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, while Mr. Enrile had led finance. Blue Ribbon has ongoing investigation on several scandals, namely, the allegedly overpriced $329.48-million National Broadband Network, P728-million fertilizer fund allegedly diverted to the 2004 campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the P6.9-million undeclared cash advance of the Philippine National Police delegation to the 77th International Police event in Moscow, Russia. Mr. Enrile, denying talks that investigations may be affected with the reorganization, said: "any matter that is taken up here in the Senate will be concluded [and we] cannot keep it hanging in the air." Senators Francis Joseph G. Escudero, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid did not attend the meeting called by Mr. Enrile at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Monday night. Mr. Zubiri said the "final voting" on committee chairmanships will take place on Nov. 24. Mr. Enrile told reporters he has required all senators to submit preferences for a major and a minor committee chairmanship. Mr. Zubiri replaced Senator Francis N. Pangilinan who quit on Monday. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. also relinquished his post. Senator Jose "Jinggoy" E. Estrada was reinstated Tuesday as Senate president pro-tempore. Mr. Zubiri said other senators who will likely get their posts include Panfilo M. Lacson (ways and means, ethics and privileges, and accounts), Loren B. Legarda (agriculture), Manuel A. Roxas II (education, and trade and commerce), Rodolfo G. Biazon (urban planning, housing and resettlement), and Ma. Ana "Jamby" A. S. Madrigal (environment and natural resources). Mr. Zubiri said he wanted to be retained as head of the cooperatives committee. "So far that was the consensus. But it is still presumptuous at this moment. Everything can still change," he added. Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. former minority leader who abstained from the voting, said he will remain in the minority. Linked to 2010 Mr. Pimentel believed Mr. Villar’s ouster was linked to his bid for the 2010 elections, with four possible presidential timbers voting for Mr. Enrile. "Manny Villar [had the] advantage because he [held] the Senate presidency," he told reporters, referring to surveys that indicated Mr. Villar as the second preferred presidential bet for 2010, trailing Vice-President Manuel "Noli" L. de Castro, Jr. But the so-called presidentiables — Lacson and Roxas — debunked claims that the ouster move was way linked to 2010, noting the move was "a question of leadership." "Nobody acted as mastermind. It was a collective effort," Mr. Lacson told reporters. Talks about Charter change have been revived since Mr. Enrile has supported the initiative. However, Messrs. Zubiri and Enrile said changes to the Constitution were not a priority, at least before the 2010 general elections. "Why should [Charter change] be a concern? Senator Pimentel and I are for changes in the Constitution for no other reason than for the national good. And we have been advocating this ever since. It was not something that came up only now," said Mr. Enrile. "Be that as it may, it is only my opinion as a senator. I am not the Senate. I am not the Congress... I will abide by the rule of the majority. I cannot dictate on the members of the Senate" he added. Senators Angara, Estrada, Enrile, Gordon, Lacson, Legarda, Madrigal, Roxas, Zubiri, Biazon, Escudero, Lapid, Gregorio "Gringo" B. Honasan II and Ramon "Bong" B. Revilla, Jr. belong to the new majority, a mixture of administration and opposition lawmakers. Senators Pimentel, Pangilinan, Cayetano, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III, Pilar Juliana "Pia" S. Cayetano, Joker P. Arroyo belonged to the minority. Ms. Santiago, who was absent during the voting on Monday has no word of her affiliation. Detained Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV said he will remain in the minority. Mr. Lacson said he will continue to convince Mr. Pimentel to join the majority, adding Mr. Aquino will join the majority. — Bernard U. Allauigan, BusinessWorld