MANILA, Philippines -- Senators on Tuesday shrugged off calls of a colleague for Senate President Manuel Villar to resign after being linked to the double entry of P200 million in the 2008 budget, even as an administration ally said efforts to oust the head of the chamber were “ongoing all the time.”

“Oh there’s an always an effort on their [opposition’s] part. So far, as I know, they have not succeeded,” said Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

But even Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was not receptive to the call made by Senator Ana Ma. Consuelo Madrigal for Villar to step down.

“Attacking is one thing, proving is another,” Pimetel said in a text message. “I’d rather wait if there is evidence to back up whatever it is that she [Madrigal] believes is reason for the revamp.”

Asked if moves to oust Villar had been revived after he was linked by Senator Panfilo Lacson to the double entry to the allocation for a road extension project of the C-5 highway in Parañaque City, Enrile said: “It’s ongoing all the time. You know, many people would like to have the position.”

Although Enrile confirmed he had “been approached before” to cast his vote against Villar, he said he had not been asked to join any such effort at the moment.

Senator Francis Escudero, a member of the majority member, said a change in leadership remains a question of numbers.

“Anytime, pwedeng palitan ang Senate President. Ang tanong lang kung may numero [Anytime, the Senate president can be changed. The only question is if there are enough numbers],” he said.

Asked if there was enough basis to demand Villar’s resignation, Escudero said: “Akusaysyon pa lang ang meron, wala pa yung actual na hearing. Ang dikta ng due process, pakinggan bago mag-convict, bigyan ng pagkakataong sumagot bago maghusga [There have only been accusation so far, no actually hearings. Due process dictates, listen before you convict, give a chance [to the accused] to reply before passing judgment.”

Escudero also said it was no surprise for Madrigal to call on Villar to quit since she never voted for him in the first place.

Like Pimentel, Majority Floor Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said he would also prefer to wait for an investigation on the double entry controversy before commenting on moves to oust Villar.