Enrile to run for Senate president but…

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator  Juan Ponce-Enrile confirmed that he would  run for  Senate president when Congress opens on July 22, but only  to become the leader of the  new opposition  in the chamber.

While he has not yet formally met with members of the imminent new minority bloc in the Senate, Enrile said he had informed them of his decision to run for Senate president.

He said he will join the new minority group when it meets again probably this week.

“I told them that I have opted to become an opposition and I’m going to aspire as Minority Floor Leader,” Enrile said in a television interview last Monday.

“I will submit my name as a candidate for Senate President in order to assume the role of a Minority Leader,” he added.

Enrile, who resigned as Senate President last month, said it would be “unrealistic” to regain his post as he was expected to run against the administration candidate, Senator Franklin Drilon.

“Unrealistic yun (That’s unrealistic). Siguro mas mabuti na (Maybe it would be better that) the administration will have their own Senate president. Better that way,” he said.

As the new minority bloc in the Senate, Enrile reiterated that they would become a “responsible” opposition, not “destructive” or “obstructionist.”