Drilon, Belmonte head 16th Congress

Senator Franklin Drilon and Congressman Feliciano Belmonte Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate and House of Representatives elected two staunch allies of President Benigno Aquino III as their heads for the 16th Congress Monday.

Senator Franklin Drilon garnered 17 votes while closest rival and former president Juan Ponce Enrile had 6, giving the Liberal Party luminary his third chance to lead the upper chamber of Congress.

At the House of Representatives, Congressman Feliciano Belmonte Jr., LP vice chairman, was re-elected as Speaker.