Distribution of Senate committees will be fair, says Drilon

Senator Franklin Drilon assured that the distribution of the Senate committees among the senators will be fair and equal. "In my opinion, there will be fair and equitable distribution of the Senate committees," Drilon said on Wednesday. The Liberal Party (LP) chairman issued the statement after at least four major standing committees were supposedly awarded to him and his party-mates by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Drilon said he will handle the finance committee; Senator Ralph Recto the ways and means and public services committees; Senator Francis Pangilinan the agriculture committee, and Senator Teofisto Guingona III the energy committee. There are conflicts, however, as Senator Loren Legarda announced she also wants to head the energy committee while Senator Edgardo Angara expressed interest in heading the finance committee. Legarda and Angara come from different parties but are both allied in what they call the "majority with the super majority" in the Senate, which excludes the LP members. Drilon, however, said he is confident that they can reach a "fair and equitable" consensus on the assignment of Senate committees. "I believe so because this new Senate majority was formed through candid dialogue, good faith, consensus-building and a common, unselfish commitment to help the Aquino administration implement the needed reforms in government," he said. Enrile had earlier said he will probably handle the ethics committee. On the other hand, the Senate president said he has given the committee on constitutional amendments to Senator Joker Arroyo and the health and women committees to Senator Pia Cayetano. He also said that Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmena III will handle the committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies while Angara will get the education, arts and culture and science and technology committees. He likewise said Senator Panfilo Lacson, through his chief of staff, said he wants to retain his post as chairman of the accounts committee and also be the head of the ways and means committee. The Senate is expected to settle the issue on committee chairmanships during Wednesday's session. The standing committees of the Senate operate as “little legislatures" which determine the fate of most bills or proposals. Committee members and staff are usually experts in the subjects under their jurisdiction. They discuss and revise the bills during committee hearings. Meanwhile, the Senate likewise has no decision yet on the composition of the Commission on Appointments (CA).–VVP, GMANews.TV