‘Fair, transparent’ Angara should stay as chair of Senate finance panel, says Zubiri

FILE PHOTO: Senate Finance Committee chairperson Sonny Angara (left) and Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri at the signing of the approved final version of the P5-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2022 during the continuation of the bicameral conference committee at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, Mandaluyong City, on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. (Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sonny Angara should continue heading the Senate finance committee, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Monday.

“I feel strongly that he should remain as finance chair. Magaling si Sonny, very fair, very transparent ang dealings niya [Sonny is good, very fair, his dealings are very transparent],” Zubiri told reporters in an interview.

“Whoever becomes SP (Senate President), I will recommend that Sonny Angara is maintained as finance chair,” he added.

Earlier, Angara said he was open to “giving up” his committee chairmanship as long as it is acceptable to all members of the Senate majority bloc of the incoming 19th Congress.

But Angara also said he believes in the upholding of the equity of the incumbent—where incumbent senators are given priority on committee chairmanships.

During Monday’s interview, Zubiri was also asked about the Senate presidency for the upcoming Congress. He was reportedly among possible contenders for Senate president.

The Senate majority leader did not elaborate details regarding discussions on the Senate presidency, as he kept mum about a likely sharing of term for the post.

READ: Zubiri mum on term-sharing for Senate president: I don’t want to jinx anything

“Basta ‘yung grupo ni Ma’am Cynthia [Villar] at saka ‘yung grupo namin [The group of Ma’am Cynthia and our group] will eventually be part of the supermajority, so we don’t want to ruffle any feathers,” Zubiri said.

“We will discuss it like discerning adults and hopefully we’ll come up with a conclusion on who will lead the supermajority for the next Congress,” he added.

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