MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands to gain from the change of leadership at the Senate, minority members of the House of Representatives said on Monday.

With Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at the helm replacing Senator Manuel Villar, issues not favorable to the administration will now be “better managed,” Representatives Teofisto Guingona III of Bukidnon and Risa Hontiveros of Akbayan.

Villar’s wife, Cynthis, who is Las Pinas representative, was not immediately available for interview. The aide who answered Inquirer.net's phone call said the Villar family is at a meeting in Makati.

Speaker Prospero Nograles, meanwhile, welcomed Enrile’s election and said he hopes the "harmonious" relations between the two chambers will be maintained.

"We respect the decision of the Senators in their choice of a new leader. Leadership change in both chambers of Congress is part of our constitutional and democratic processes. What is important is maintaining harmonious cooperation and genuine relations between the two chambers for the sake of national interest," Nograles said.

Nograles urged lawmakers to "focus beyond partisan politics" at a time when the nation is faced with challenges to fight poverty and the global economic slump.

"Changes in players will not change the game and the objective is always to serve the interest of the people," he added.

In a telephone interview, Guingona, Villar's party mate in the Nacionalista Party, said with Enrile at the top post of the Senate, Charter change "to perpetuate the President in power" is now realizable.

"We know Senator Enrile is known for his exceeding loyalty," he said.

Hontiveros said Malacañang now "holds the leadership" in both chambers.

"This will have major effect not only on legislative priorities but also on major inquiries tackled by both chambers and on moves to amend the Constitution," she said in a statement.

Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna (People First) Representative Satur Ocampo said Villar's ouster could have something to do with his support for the investigation of critical issues against the administration and with the former Senate leader’s early announcement of his plans to run for president in 2010.

"Obviously, the GMA [Arroyo’s initials] administration has managed to undermine Villar's slim majority hold. The presidential elections and Villar's backing of Bolante, Euro generals probe may also be the factors to the coup," Ocampo said in a statement.

Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, party mate and former colleague of Villar in the House, said he is saddened with the resignation of the senator.

"I didn't know that it is a mortal sin to dare to dream to become President. This is crab mentality at its height. I hope that the Senate's loss will be the nation's gain in 2010," he said in a text message.