Zubiri to Noynoy: Consolidate your force in House or risk ouster threats

Leading presidential candidate Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III must consolidate his forces in the House of Representatives as a “key" step if he is proclaimed as the country’s 15th President, a colleague advised Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said it would be detrimental for Aquino to lose his grip on the Lower House. “It’s key for the president to be able to control the House because the impeachment exercise emanates from it. If he is not able to control the House, delikado po yung magiging Pangulo sa mga impeachment complaint (the incoming President faces the danger of impeachment complaints)," he told reporters. Aquino and Zubiri were former members of the Lower House. Zubiri reminded Aquino that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was proclaimed as the winner in the congressional race in the 2nd district of Pampanga, will soon become a member of the House. A ‘lesson’ from Lakas-Kampi Zubiri even divulged that the ruling Lakas-Kampi poured its resources on the congressional candidates as the priority, to the detriment of their other local candidates. “During the elections, there were many complaints that many mayors, councilors and vice mayors were not given help (in the elections)… They were made to fend on their own. That’s why a lot of local positions were lost," he said. “Sa tingin ko, gusto nila (Lakas-Kampi) magkaroon ng malaking voting bloc sa Kongreso (I think Lakas-Kampi wants to build a strong voting bloc in Congress), whether it’s for the speakership or political leadership or mileage. It would be safe to say that she has 80 congressmen at this point," Zubiri added. He said as early as now, Liberal Party’s Quezon City mayor Feliciano “Sonny" Belmonte, who won the congressional race in the city’s 4th district, has been seeking alliances. “Sonny Belmonte has been making strides, he has been calling congressmen including my siblings," Zubiri said, referring to his brother Jose Ma. Zubiri III who won the Lower House race in Bukidnon’s 3rd district. Asked if the Senate would be cooperative to Aquino since he was once a part of it, the senator said he cannot say. “Sa Senate, historically, wala talaga silang magawa e (presidents can’t do anything). We have a very independent Senate." A divided Senate embroiled in ‘bloody fight’? Zubiri sees a split in the Senate’s composition in the 15th Congress. Including its incumbent members and those who appear headed for a win in the senatorial race, the Liberal Party would most likely have five senators, namely, incumbent Francis Pangilinan, candidates Francis Drilon, Sergio Osmeña III, Teofisto Guingona III, and Ralph Recto. On the other hand, the Nacionalista Party led by Senator Manuel Villar Jr. would have Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and reelectionist Pilar Juliana Cayetano. According to Zubiri, reelectionist Miriam Defensor Santiago and Lito Lapid will most likely ally with the NP. Zubiri said he has a separate group and its members were Senators Edgardo Angara, Loren Legarda and reelectionists Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid. He refused to say where their loyalties lie. The other group of senators, Zubiri said, would be composed of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Pro-Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada, Senators Francis Escudero and Gregorio Honasan II. “There will be swing votes and it will be hard to see now where we will be going. It is quite hard to see now kung sino magiging (who is going to be) Senate President. I am sure the LP will have a go for it, former Senate President Drilon will make a go for it. The group of Sen. Manny Villar will probably try to have a go for it. Medyo magiging madugo ito. Malalaman natin by June, July (This will be a somewhat bloody fight. We will know by June, July)," Zubiri said.—JV, GMANews.TV