MANILA, Philippines — “Congratulations to the Samar group!” was Senator Franklin Drilon’s joking remark to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, after President Aquino announced the appointment of former Senator Mar Roxas as the new Transportation and Communications secretary.
Escudero is identified with the so-called “Samar Group,” composed of people who supported the tandem of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay in the last May elections while Drilon belonged to the so-called “Balay Group,” who backed the Aquino-Roxas tandem.
Escudero, who was about to be interviewed by reporters on Roxas’ appointment, also jokingly answered Drilon: “I will endorse,” meaning he will give his vote for Roxas when he faces the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) for confirmation.
“Nasa kaniya ang boto ko sa CA. Hindi ko man nabigay noong nakaraan kaugnay ng ibang puwesto, nasa kaniya ang aking suporta sa CA (He has my vote at the CA. I may not have voted for him in the past for another post, but I give him my support this time at the CA),” Escudero said, adding Roxas was qualified for the job.
Asked if the appointment was a victory for the Samar Group, Escudero said it was a victory for the President because he was able to solve two possible problems—the vacancy in the DoTC with the resignation of Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus and the trouble that would have been created if the planned appointment of Roxas as presidential chief of staff pushed through.
“I guess the President hit two birds with one stone with this decision of his,” Escudero added.
Aside from Escudero and Drilon, at least four other senators gave their nod to the appointment of Roxas: Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Serge Osmena and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
All the senators were confident of Roxas’ getting the nod of the Commission on Appointments.