Pangilinan makes himself available for Senate Presidency

Seeing that a “friendly" Senate is essential to the Aquino administration, Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday made himself available for the Senate presidency. Pangilinan is an ally of leading presidential candidate Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and one of those who urged him to run for the country’s top position. In a text message to reporters, Pangilinan said he is willing to seek the post of the Senate President if he will be able to get the nod of other senators from the Liberal Party and secure the support of colleagues who wish to help Aquino succeed as President. “What is important is that we have a Senate that will be an able partner of the President in pushing for the changes that our people seek to be realized when they voted for Noynoy in this landslide victory," he said. The senators owe it to the people to fulfill their hopes for change and reforms by helping Aquino succeed in ending pervasive corruption and widespread poverty, he said. “A supportive Senate is critical if Noynoy is to succeed. Now more than ever we need a strong and working unity between Congress and the President to move our nation towards a new and progressive direction," the senator said. The LP is yet to officially announce its bet for the Senate presidency. In the incoming 15th Congress, among the LP members in the Senate are Pangilinan, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, and Ralph Recto. Yet to be proclaimed are Sergio Osmena III and Teofisto Guingona III. On Sunday, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said former Senator Manuel Villar Jr. is likely to regain his post as Senate President because of the new alliances he nurtured. [See: Villar likely to become Senate President again, says Miriam] Among Villar’s allies are Senators Defensor-Santiago, Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano, incoming senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He is also most likely to get the support of his running mate Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Lito Lapid, Edgardo Angara. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile earlier said that he will not seek the post and he is giving his colleagues a free hand to choose their leader. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV