SOURCE: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=151320
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:52am (Mla time) 07/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Manuel Villar emerged on Monday as still the head of the upper chamber as yet another attempt to unseat him failed due to the lack of numbers.
Days before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was to deliver her State of the Nation Address at the opening of Congress, the Senate was rife with rumors a key administration senator had started talks between the seven opposition senators and a bloc comprised of at least five administration senators to muster a majority that would elect either Sen. Richard Gordon or Sen. Joker Arroyo as the new Senate president.
Gordon confirmed he had received feelers from both the majority and minority blocs on the possibility of forming a new alliance that would change the Senate leadership.
Villar himself confirmed he was aware another ouster move was cooking, but dismissed this as normal in the halls of Congress.
“There will always be people itching for my post,” he said. “But I am confident I still have the support of the majority of the senators. This is a regular thing every time the SONA comes up but nothing usually comes of this.”
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago stood up for Villar, lashing out at those who she said coveted his post, especially since the 2010 elections were only two years away.
“The country will not gain anything by changing the Senate President when there are only two years left. A change in leadership is always disruptive,” Santiago said, as she reiterated her continued support for Villar.
“Of course, he enjoys an advantage over other presidential wannabes. Therefore, it is obvious that any coup attempt is driven by presidential ambitions, whether direct or indirect. That’s so parochial,” she said.
Observers say Villar could face more takeover attempts by the opposition which includes in its ranks presidential contenders for 2010, notably, Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Loren Legarda and Panfilo Lacson.
3 comments:
he'll run for president for sure. kadiri. kapal. haha!
mga politiko tlga, agawan pa sa pwesto ang iniisip, e kung gumawa n lang sila ng mga proyektong makakakatulong sa mamamayan, o kya naman tapusin na ang mga nakatambak na gawain sa senado bago mag agawan sa pwesto? Pare parehong senador naman silang lahat
i quite agree with your view point aj, they need to cut thos chit chats [and also thos pork barrels] and make some action. work. accomplish everything what you've said before. anyway, god will be the judge for them.
JFSyC,c.c.s.
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