Only LP votes needed to oust Enrile, says Trillanes

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday said there were almost enough members of the Senate to unseat Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

“There are senators who are ready for change in the [Senate leadership], we are only waiting for senators from the Liberal Party,” Trillanes told reporters on Monday.

At present, he said, the senators who want to replace Enrile has not yet reached 13 or more than half of the 23 members need to unseat the Senate leader.  He said they are still awaiting some senators from the Liberal Party, which is the political party of President Benigno Aquino III.

“Our numbers right now, if you add the Liberal Party senators, we will exceed the required 13,” Trillanes said said.

He believes that the “presidency of Enrile was not consistent with the tuwid na daan (right path) principle of the administration.”

Trillanes said that, currently, the number of senators who want to replace Enrile has not yet reached the required number of members 13. They are still awaiting some senators from the Liberal Party, which is the political party of President Benigno Aquino III.

“Our numbers right now, if you add the Liberal Party senators, we will exceed the required 13,” he said.

When asked if the recent controversy of Enrile’s cash gifts was the reason behind the move to unseat him, Trillanes said it was not the main issue, saying his other colleagues have their own issues against the Senate leader.

“If you only knew the sins of Enrile previously and currently, they are loose change compared to Corona’s,”  he said, referring to ousted Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Trillanes said they also were looking at the possibility that “the Senate President will use his position and resources in the coming elections.”

“We all know how he spends money,” he pointed out.

Senator Franklin Drilon or Manuel Villar would be the possible replacement for Enrile, Trillanes said.

When asked when the change of leadership would be, he said it could be anytime between this resumption of sessions this Monday and  before Congress goes on  break  on February  8, 2013.