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July 23, 2010
PASAY CITY (PinoyNews) –Senator Juan Ponce Enrile may yet become the Senate President again amid reports of a possible deadlock on the race for the Senate presidency being contested by Sens. Manuel Villar Jr. and Francis Pangilinan. Enrile expressed his readiness to become the compromise candidate to lead the Senate anew if the majority of his colleagues would ask him to take the top Senate post anew. ”If there is a consensus for me to take the presidency, I would be willing to accept it,” Enrile said, adding that he would not campaign to get the Senate presidency.
At press time, it was reported that the bloc of Sen. Edgardo Angara has shifted their support to Enrile, thus assuring him of the 13 votes needed to win the election. Even supporters of Villar and Pangilinan reportedly were inclined to support Enrile.
”I told you before that I’m not seeking the position. Truly, I’m not aspiring for it but if they get the vote for Senate president, then I will perform the job of duly elected Senate president,” he said.
Enrile admitted that a group of senators approached him last Tuesday, informing him of a growing consensus for him to handle again the Senate. ”They told me there’s a growing consensus that they would want me to handle the Senate. I told them, if that is the consensus, so be it. I’m willing although my preference is no longer to handle the job,” Enrile said.
Enrile also revealed that members of the Liberal Party approached him last week and told him that Senator Francis
“Kiko” Pangilinan could not muster the required 13 votes to get the Senate presidency. He told the media he also received information that even former Senate president Manny Villar could no longer get the needed votes with only four days left before the opening of the 15th Congress on July 26.
Meanwhile, Pangilinan declared he would pursue his decision to seek the Senate’s highest post “on our desire to push for genuine change for our nation.” ”Hence, for the cause of change and reforms, we must push on in trying to secure 13,” said Pangilinan. Enrile said he is still committed to vote for Pangilinan who is counting on the support of Senators Ralph Recto, Teofisto Guingona III, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Serge Osmena III, and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
”If they can muster the votes even after the election of president, I will vote for him,” Enrile said, referring to Pangilinan’s group. On the other hand, Villar is hoping to get the votes from his allies, Senators Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Loren Legarda and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Enrile denied reports that he already talked with Senator Edgardo Angara whose bloc’s majority members like Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente Sotto III,Gregorio Honasan and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. have reportedly expressed support to a consensus asking Enrile to become a “compromised leader” if both Pangilinan and Villar still failed to gather 13 votes before Monday.
Enrile said he has already requested his colleagues to convene a caucus on Monday morning to discuss the Senate presidency.