Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. INQUIRER.net PHOTO
There is “a lot of jockeying and negotiating” for the highest position in the Senate.
According to Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, there is no single party at present with a sufficient number of senators to form a majority bloc in the chamber.
“Right now, there is a lot of jockeying and negotiating going on among groups, parties and individuals,” he said in a statement on Friday.
“The first aspirant who is able to cobble together a coalition of 13 or more senators will win the top post in the chamber,” the senator added.
“If any of the above-mentioned aspirants fails to get 13 then Senate President (Franklin) Drilon stays on, similar to then Senate President (Juan Ponce) Enrile in 2010.”
Drilon, vice chair of Liberal Party, is the incumbent Senate president while Enrile, whose term will expire on June 30, is the minority leader.
At least three names are being floated to replace Drilon as Senate president when the 17th Congress opens in July.
The three are Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Alan Peter Cayetano and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
“All the names coming out so far of those aspiring for the top Senate post, who include Senators Alan Cayetano, Pimentel, Drilon and Sotto, are all qualified to take on the presidency of the Senate,” said Angara.
“All are also qualified to take on the other three positions which comprise the officers of the Senate—majority leader, minority leader or Senate President Pro Tempore—since all are senior senators who command the respect of our colleagues,” he added.
Angara is a lone member of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino in the Senate. He is currently part of the majority bloc after he voted for Drilon for Senate president. RC/rga