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June 25, 2010 PASAY CITY –- Despite his loss in the presidential race, Sen. Manuel B. Villar Jr. may yet end up as Senate President again. With more senator-allies supporting him, Villar has the edge in the race for the Senate leadership, said outgoing Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Pimentel said that the Liberal Party is divided between comebacking Senator Franklin Drilon and Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
Pangilinan is reportedly supported by President-elect Benigno Aquino III and his sister, Bernadette Kristina “Kris” Aquino, while Drilon has the backing of outgoing Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. “If problem will remain within the Liberal Party (LP), Villar will have a big chance to get necessary votes to become Senate president again,” Pimentel said. Pimentel said Villar already has the support of nine senators, needing only four to reclaim the Senate presidency. “Villar has more solid support. Nine support him and needed just only four senators to get the Senate presidency. Nobody in the Senate has been claiming of a majority bloc.
They need alliances,” Pimentel explained. Both Pangilinan and Drilon are aspiring for the Senate presidency, creating problem within LP. Pimentel said reports that Kris Aquino, youngest sister of President-elect Noynoy Aquino, has been lobbying to some senators for Pangilinan is an indication that all is not well between Drilon and Pangilinan. “In the LP, their problem is Frank and Kiko.
Drilon is supported by Mar (Roxas) while Kiko is supported by another group. In short, if Liberal can unite and will get alliances with other blocs, they have a chance. But I think, Manny is still the man to beat,” Pimentel said. Pimentel failed to name names but some of the possible supporters of Villar include senators Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Bongbong Marcos and Loren Legarda, Villar’s vice- presidential running mate in the last presidential election.
On the other hand, LP’s possible allies in the Senate are neophyte TG Guingona, Ralph Recto, Drilon, Pangilinan, Chiz Escudero and incumbent Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile who already committed his support to Pangilinan.