Pacquiao bares disputes over committee chairmanships

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday bared that there are disputes over committee chairmanships  in the  Senate.

“Maliit na gusot  na lang ito,  maso-solve din yan kasi kami-kami lang din naman (This is a minor problem, which we can resolve ),” Pacquiao, who is part of the ruling PDP-Laban, told reporters.

Asked to elaborate, the senator said:  “Sa pagpili ng committee…Pero may alternative solution for that (The disputes are over committee memberships, but we have an alternative solution).”

Pacquiao explained that some incoming senators have indicated their preference for specific committees currently headed  by incumbent senators.

“Yung gusto nilang komite hawak ng kasama din natin na incumbent  so mahirap  naman syempre parang insulto kung hindi nya ibibigay yung komite, insulto naman  sa senador na kasama  din naman natin,”  he pointed out.

Pacquiao likewise bared that three senators are interested in heading one committee.

He refused to identify the said committee.

Despite this, Pacquiao assured that the issue would not  affect the Senate leadership.

Pacquiao said most of them in the ruling PDP-Laban party agreed to support Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

“Wala naman kaming iniisip na ipalit. Masaya naman kami sa leadership ni Tito Sotto.  Most of us agreed na si Tito Sen pa rin ang Senate president,” he said.

Aside from Pacquiao, the four other PDP-Laban members are reelected senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Senate newcomers Francis Tolentino, Ronald dela Rosa, and Christopher “Bong” Go.  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)