Sen. Pangilinan dismisses reports he’ll replace Alcala as agriculture chief

MANILA, Philippines – No, “Robin” is not yet ready to take the place of “Batman.”

This was how Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan dismissed on Wednesday rumors that he would soon replace Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, likened his partnership with Alcala to the movie “Batman and Robin.”

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m happy where I am. There’s not much politics but there’s a lot of agriculture and fishing. I am happy where I am but Secretary Alacala’s job is also good and our tandem is great. He is Batman and I’m Robin,” he told reporters in Filipino.

Pangilinan said President Aquino has not offered him anything despite rumors of an impending Cabinet revamp.

“Wala pa naman. Ang sa akin, maganda ang samahan namin ni Sec Alcala at ayokong magkaroon pa ng problema sa samahan na yun, so magtutulungan na lang kami,” said the senator.

“I don’t like to destroy our partnership. He’s the secretary. I’m with the committee on agriculture. He’s Batman and I’m Robin. I don’t want to be Batman. He’s older,” Pangilinan said in jest.

But Pangilinan, whose term will end in 2013, is not closing his doors to any Cabinet post.

“Depende kay Presidente yun. Hintayin na lang natin kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng ating Pangulo [It depends on the President. Let’s wait for his decision],” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson immediately denied the rumor that he would replace Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Hindi po totoo na papalitan ko si [It’s not true that I will replace] Secretary Robredo. I believe that he’s doing a fine job as DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] Secretary so I see no reason for Malacanang to replace him,” said Lacson in a text message to reporters.