Angara bares preferred Senate body to head

Senator-elect Juan Edgardo Angara. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator-elect Juan Edgardo Angara said he prefers to head any of  four committees in the Senate—education, health, agriculture or environment—when he formally assumes his post in July.

Angara said he expressed these preferences during an informal talk with Senator Franklin Drilon, who is reportedly a shoo-in for Senate President in the 16th Congress.

“Sabi niya (Drilon) anong interest mo sa Senate (He asked me: What is your interest)? The discussion was very loose,” he told reporters in an interview Friday.

He said heading the agriculture, health or environment committee would be fine with him. And qwhile education is his number one advocacy, Angara said he did not expect to get it, saying this might be given to a senior member of the Senate.

“Of course, education is my number one advocacy but I know it’s a senior committee who will get it so I don’t expect to get it. But I hope, I will be involved,” he said.

Among those reported to have also been eyeing the committee on education were Senators Loren Legarda, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Aquilinop “Koko” Pimentel III, who were all re-elected in the recently-concluded midterm elections.

“We have preferences but we will not insist,” Angara said.

He said he was also interested to be part of the committee on trade and industry even just as a member.

A lone member of the Laban Demokratikong Pilipino, Angara said he also hopes to get a seat in the powerful Commission on Appointments.