Enrile replaced Villar as senate president. The question is, why him?
Political critiques say the primary reason behind Villar’s ‘ouster’ was the 2010 elections where he was chosen as the presidential bet of the Nacionalista party. Though technically, said ‘ouster’ did not take place because Villar saved face by resigning before things went out of hand. There are speculations though that the call for deposition was initiated by Lacson and Guingona. Many say the motion was fleeting in the senate for months, but was not brought out in the open unless the majority decided for it.
After some discreet discussions, 14 senators voted against Villar while six others abstained. Included in the 14 senators were Legarda, Lacson, Gordon, and Roxas – all hinting on running for president. Enrile then ascended to the seat.
Of course, it was not a pleasant transition. Cayetano resigned as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee and Pangilinan leaves his post as majority floor leader. These two were obviously now part of the minority. A few days after, Enrile appointed Zubiri as the majority floor leader while Estrada and Pimentel retained their post as pro-extempore and minority leader, respectively.
I can only think up of three reasons why Enrile replaced Villar:
1) The Senate President does not vote in senate proceedings. The opposition-led senate, even with Enrile as head, still remained opposed to the Arroyo administration. Enrile on the seat meant one vote less for the administration.
2) He's been serving under five presidents and knew the ins and outs of Philippine politics.
3) He changed loyalties and is now an opposition senator. I mean, he did that during Marcos' time right?
If I were a member of the opposition, I would root for Villar other than in any other politicos vying for the presidency. Lacson does not seem trustworthy enough – always using tactics he probably learned while PNP chief; Roxas is such an elitist, excuse me, I am not amenable to Korina Sanchez being first lady; Gordon looked like he can sell the country to America any time; Legarda is a wannabe, all face and no action; and of course, De Castro is a typical sugar-coated politician who built his career on…you-know-what.
And still, there’s Binay who prides himself as the ‘Obama of the Philippines’, who also happened to be aiming for the presidency. Add the possible constitutional reform, aggravated by the administration gaining control of both houses, and good luck.
My dream coverage had always been the elections and I have been prepping up for the upcoming one; but now that it’s turning out to be a carousel of sorts, I might be unable to bear it, come 2010.
It’s still less than two years but things are already getting downright filthy.
Political critiques say the primary reason behind Villar’s ‘ouster’ was the 2010 elections where he was chosen as the presidential bet of the Nacionalista party. Though technically, said ‘ouster’ did not take place because Villar saved face by resigning before things went out of hand. There are speculations though that the call for deposition was initiated by Lacson and Guingona. Many say the motion was fleeting in the senate for months, but was not brought out in the open unless the majority decided for it.
After some discreet discussions, 14 senators voted against Villar while six others abstained. Included in the 14 senators were Legarda, Lacson, Gordon, and Roxas – all hinting on running for president. Enrile then ascended to the seat.
Of course, it was not a pleasant transition. Cayetano resigned as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee and Pangilinan leaves his post as majority floor leader. These two were obviously now part of the minority. A few days after, Enrile appointed Zubiri as the majority floor leader while Estrada and Pimentel retained their post as pro-extempore and minority leader, respectively.
I can only think up of three reasons why Enrile replaced Villar:
1) The Senate President does not vote in senate proceedings. The opposition-led senate, even with Enrile as head, still remained opposed to the Arroyo administration. Enrile on the seat meant one vote less for the administration.
2) He's been serving under five presidents and knew the ins and outs of Philippine politics.
3) He changed loyalties and is now an opposition senator. I mean, he did that during Marcos' time right?
If I were a member of the opposition, I would root for Villar other than in any other politicos vying for the presidency. Lacson does not seem trustworthy enough – always using tactics he probably learned while PNP chief; Roxas is such an elitist, excuse me, I am not amenable to Korina Sanchez being first lady; Gordon looked like he can sell the country to America any time; Legarda is a wannabe, all face and no action; and of course, De Castro is a typical sugar-coated politician who built his career on…you-know-what.
And still, there’s Binay who prides himself as the ‘Obama of the Philippines’, who also happened to be aiming for the presidency. Add the possible constitutional reform, aggravated by the administration gaining control of both houses, and good luck.
My dream coverage had always been the elections and I have been prepping up for the upcoming one; but now that it’s turning out to be a carousel of sorts, I might be unable to bear it, come 2010.
It’s still less than two years but things are already getting downright filthy.
--Enrile photo courtesy of www.pcij.org
1 comment:
in 2010...ahm...vote for bob ong for president, tapos si manix abrera ang vice. *palakpakan!!!!* dotdotdot
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