Senate panel defers dismissal of Jarvinia case vs Villar

A Senate panel on Tuesday deferred its action on the dismissal of the ethics complaint filed against Senator Manny Villar Jr. in connection with his alleged land-grabbing case in Bulacan province.

The decision was made after senators noted the similarities of the evidence in the so-called Jarvinia case with those presented during last week’s hearing of the committee on the whole on a separate ethics complaint against Villar.

Senators Panfilo Lacson, ethics committee chairman, Manuel Roxas II, Gregorio Honasan II and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed to “temporarily hold in abeyance the decision on the complaint until we can firmly ascertain its connection with the evidence presented on Thursday."

Roxas said the case could be connected with the subject of the ethics complaint filed by Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby" Madrigal that was tackled by the committee of the whole last Thursday.

In the complaint, which was also filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, private citizen Gina Jarvinia accused Villar and his wife, Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, of land-grabbing in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Lack of quorum

Laywer Jhomuel Mendoza, committee general counsel, recommended the dismissal of the Jarvinia complaint three months ago but the panel was not able to act on it due to lack of quorum.

Mendoza said he recommended the dismissal of the compliant since based on documents, Villar’s alleged acts were committed before he became a senator.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said after Thursday's hearing that acts committed by a senator before he or she assumes his or her post are beyond the jurisdiction of the Senate.

The ethics committee's legal counsel will submit next week a matrix on the similarities of Jarvina's complaint with that of Madrigal's.

'Simple politicking'

Villar, for his part, accused the panel of politicking in deferring the dismissal of the Jarvinia case.

"I see no other reason why fellow presidentiables seem to be employing foot-dragging tactics in the dismissal of the Jarvinia case but plain and simple politicking," Villar said in a text message to reporters.

He noted that the case had been junked by the Ombudsman in 2008, and that several senators had already expressed their intention to dismiss the case as early as May 2009.

"The move to defer action on the recommendation to dismiss (the case) is nothing but another desperate attempt by my political rivals to malign my reputation," said Villar, who is being groomed to run for president in next year's national elections.

Liban vs Gordon

The committee on the other hand approved the junking of the complaint filed against Senator Richard Gordon by former Quezon City Representative Dante Liban as the Supreme Court had already issued its decision on the matter.

Liban had accused Gordon of holding two positions in the government, being a lawmaker and a chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross.- GMANews.TV

Villar, de Castro top Moro online survey on 2010 polls

Former Senate President Manuel Villar and Vice-President Noli de Castro topped an online survey of possible candidates for the 2010 presidential elections, an online report said Tuesday.

The website luwaran.com said Villar topped the survey with 294 votes followed by de Castro with 240 votes of the total 1088 votes cast since November 1 this year.

Sen. Loren Legarda came third with 197 or 18.1 percent of the votes; Sen. Panfilo Lacson came fourth with 191 votes or 17.6 percent; Sen. Richard Gordon, fifth with 64 votes or 5.9 percent; Sen. Mar Roxas, sixth with 54 votes or 5 percent; and former President Joseph Estrada, seventh and last with 48 votes or 4.4 percent.

The last vote was cast on December 1, 2008.

The online survey asked readers: “Who do you want to be president of the Philippines in 2010?” Only Moros were urged to participate in the survey, but there is no way to check whether this guideline is followed strictly.

A luwaran insider considered the result of the survey as reflective of the general sentiment of the Moros not only in Mindanao or elsewhere in the Philippines but even those who are working or residing overseas. He referred especially to the rankings of Roxas and Estrada, whom he said were identified as two of those most hated by Moros in an online survey conducted earlier for this purpose.

However, he admitted that the survey is not very scientific as it can be manipulated by unscrupulous individuals or groups. abs-cbnnews.com

Villar tops SWS satisfaction poll

Former Senate president Manuel Villar Jr. has received the highest public satisfaction rating among top government officials in a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The quarterly survey was conducted prior to Villar’s resignation as Senate president last week.

The Third Quarter 2008 Social Weather Survey found 61 percent satisfied and 17 percent dissatisfied with the performance of Villar in the last three months.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to 27, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

SWS said Villar’s net satisfaction rating declined by nine points from a “very good” 52 percent in June to a “good” 43 in September.

“It has been over 40 in all but one quarter since SWS rated his performance as Senate President in September 2006,” SWS said.

The latest survey also found 58 percent satisfied and 24 percent dissatisfied with Vice President Noli de Castro, for a net rating of +34.

“Vice President De Castro’s latest net satisfaction rating is a good +34, three points down from a good +37 in June 2008,” SWS said.

“His net performance rating has been over +30 in all but three quarters since he took office four years ago.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles’s rating has remained negative at -12 (24 percent satisfied and 36 percent dissatisfied).

“Nograles’s new net satisfaction rating went to poor -12 in September after hitting a record-low -15 in June,” SWS said.

“It was also a poor net -12 in March 2008, when SWS first rated his performance as Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

The survey also showed 29 percent satisfied and 33 percent dissatisfied with Chief Justice Reynato Puno, giving him a net rating of -3.

“Net satisfaction with Chief Justice Puno has remained neutral since the SWS rated his performance in March 2007. His latest net rating of -3 compares with +3 previously,” SWS said.

The SWS describes net satisfaction ratings of +50 and above as “very good,” +30 to +49 as “good,” +10 to +29 “moderate,” -9 to +9 “neutral,” -20 to -10 “poor,” -49 to -30 “bad,” and -50 or lower “very bad.”

Meanwhile, the SWS said public satisfaction with top government institutions barely changed in the latest survey.

The September survey found 46 percent satisfied and 26 percent dissatisfied with the performance of the Senate, or a moderate net +21, six points down from a moderate +27 in June 2008.

The latest survey also found 38 percent satisfied and 28 percent dissatisfied with the House of Representatives, or a moderate net +11, the same as in the previous quarter.

It found 39 percent satisfied and 30 percent dissatisfied with the performance of the Supreme Court, or a neutral net +9, just three points up from a neutral +6 in June 2008, SWS said.

The survey found 31 percent satisfied and 34 percent dissatisfied with the Cabinet, or neutral net -3, barely changing from the neutral -9 in June, SWS said.

Sampling error margins of ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±6 percent for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao, and ±4 percent for the rest of Luzon were applied in the survey.

At Malacañang, presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio said yesterday it was too early to predict the chances of any one candidate in the 2010 presidential elections.

“We’re a long way from 2010, and it would be too early for anybody to rejoice,” he said. “We are all aware of how dynamic public standings can be.”

Villar tops MILF poll

In Davao City, Villar topped the presidential poll of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s official website, Luwaran.com.

Former President Joseph Estrada, who launched an all-out war against the separatists in 2000, landed at the bottom of the online poll.

The MILF website first posted the question “Who do you want to be president in 2010?” last Nov. 1 and a total of 963 voters have already clicked in their choices.

Villar garnered 242 votes or a total of 25.1 percent of the total votes in the online poll.

Vice President Noli de Castro placed second to Villar with 218 votes or 22.6 percent of the total.

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda were in third and fourth places with 176 and 171 votes or 18.3 percent and 17.8 percent.

Sen. Richard Gordon emerged fifth with 60 votes or 6.2 percent, while Sen. Manuel Roxas II was sixth with 51 votes or 5.3 percent.

Estrada got 45 votes or 4.7 percent of the total votes in the online poll.

It could not be ascertained if those who participated in the Luwaran.com survey were all MILF members, or if there were those who browsed the website regularly or even at random.

In a separate poll, the MILF posted the question, “Who is the Moro’s most hated Filipino leader today?” wherein voting started last Sept. 20 and ended Nov. 1.

There were at least 1,487 who replied to the online question. Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol topped the list with 536 votes or 36 percent of the total.

Mrs. Arroyo emerged the second Filipino leader most hated by the Moros with 406 votes or 27.3 percent.

Estrada ranked third, with 169 votes or 11.4 percent, closely followed by Roxas with 168 votes or 11.3 percent.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, who staunchly opposed the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, also figured in the most hated list with 74 votes or five percent.

Others in the list of Filipino leaders the Moro hated most were Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, 50 votes or 3.4 percent; Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, 19 votes or 1.3 percent;

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, 16 votes or 1.1 percent; former senator Franklin Drilon, 15 votes or 1 percent; while Press

Secretary Jesus Dureza and Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan got 12 votes each or 0.8 percent, and Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin got 10 votes or 0.7 percent. philstar.com

Villar clears Estrada in his ouster

TUBLAY, Benguet -- Senator Manuel Villar on Saturday absolved former President Joseph Estrada of any blame for his ouster as Senate president.

"Wala akong comment dyan. Si Erap ay nananatiling isa kong kaibigan, hanggang ngayon (I have no comment about that. Erap remains my friend)," he said here as guest of the town's 108th founding anniversary.

"I respect him as a friend. I have no bad feelings for him," he added.

Villar took a dig at his colleagues in the Senate using this town's cool climate.

He said: "Mabuti rito, malamig. Sa Manila mainit. Kaya maraming mainit ang ulo. Gaya sa Senado, marami ding mainit and ulo (It's good here. The climate is cool. It's hot in Manila. So many people are hot-headed, as in the Senate.)"

Villar said he will now focus on his campaign for livelihood and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

But in La Trinidad town, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano minced no words in saying that politics was behind Villar's ouster. Cayetano said there would be more politics and less work as the 2010 presidential election nears.

"I hope that all the 'presidentiables' would be true to their promises to work first for the people and not prioritize politics," he said. "It's only 2008."

These "presidentiables," he said, conspired to work against Villar.

"Let's accept that but let us use, at least the next year, to really focus on how we can help our country especially on the effects of the economic crisis rather than all politics," he said.

He said people expected the Senate to set aside politics and work harder after Villar's ouster and not for aspiring presidents to be training their guns on each other.

Now free of his tasks as Senate president, Villar lived up to his word to make use of his time to work on his presidential campaign.

On Saturday here, Villar retold his rags-to-riches story, the same line he used when he first ran for the Senate.

Still smarting from the Senate coup, Villar said his poor and humble beginnings and his climb to success gave him enough experience to know what the country needed to progress.

He said he harbored no ill feelings over his removal from the Senate leadership, the third highest position in the land.

"It's okay. Sa mga bagay na ganyan, sanay na tayo dyan. Marami na tayong pinagdaanan na hirap sa buhay at yung mga ganito ay sanay na tayo at tanggap na natin (We're used to these things. We've overcome hardships and we can easily accept this)," he said.

Local officials though welcomed him with a banner that addressed him as Senate president. His aides distributed cardboard fans with text explaining his anti-poverty advocacy.

He later joined provincial officials led by Governor Nestor Fongwan at the Benguet Sports Center in Wangal, La Trinidad, for the "grand cañao" (a native feast) marking the province's 108th founding anniversary and the Adivay, a cultural festival.

Villar said his life of poverty had given him enough experience to know what Filipinos need.

Later asked if his speech signaled the beginning of his presidential campaign, he said: "E, ngayon, game na. Game na game na, (Now, it's game time; I'm ready)."

"But we are more serious this time," he added.

Villar said he wanted to step up his campaign and work on his advocacy for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers since he has more time now.

"Now that I have more time, I will be visiting more often places with OFWs and I will not stop until such time that their lives would improve," he said. inquirer.net

Ouster to spur Villar bid, says ally

MANILA, Philippines—Far from being discouraged, Senator Manuel Villar’s ouster from the Senate presidency will spur him even more to pursue the presidency, according to Villar ally Gilbert Remulla.

According to Remulla, the coup that ousted Villar and ensconced Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate President, was engineered by some senators who were also eyeing the presidency.

It was primarily caused by Villar’s strong showing in the most recent surveys, said Remulla, spokesperson of Villar’s Nacionalista Party.

Vice President Noli de Castro, another close friend of Villar and a possible rival in the 2010 presidential race, said that although Villar might still be nursing his wounds, he should see a silver lining amidst the gloom of his ouster.

“Now he has a lot of time to campaign,” said a chuckling De Castro.

While still in the Senate, De Castro was part of the chamber’s exclusive Wednesday Group that included Villar, and Senators Joker Arroyo, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto, who is now the socio-economic planning secretary.

While Villar has announced his plans to run for President, De Castro, who is reportedly being considered to be the administration’s standard-bearer in 2010, has not made any mention of his inclination.

Both have consistently enjoyed high ratings in the polls.

De Castro, who is reportedly being paired with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos as the vice presidential candidate, said he has not received any feelers from Malacañang or the ruling Lakas-CMD.

“We have not talked politics. Even the President isn’t talking politics. We are more focused on coming up with solutions to the global crisis. It won’t be good to talk politics in the face of such a crisis,” he told reporters in Malacañang where he spoke at the Carbon Cutting Congress vs Climate Change.

De Castro said he was not thinking about the time frame for declaring his interest in running for President.

“What’s important to me is the time to serve the people because we have barely two years to serve as Vice President,” he said.

He said he doubted that the Senate coup, reportedly instigated by Senators Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas and Panfilo Lacson, was related to the 2010 presidential elections.

“Even when I was still part of the 12th Congress, there were coups. That’s nothing extraordinary. There’s no such thing as a permanent Senate President,” he said. inquirer.net

Villar closes in on Noli - SWS

Former Senate president Manuel Villar has narrowed the lead of Vice President Noli de Castro in the latest survey on presidential hopefuls for the 2010 elections.

The number of Filipinos who prefer Villar as the next president went up by three points from 25 percent in June to 28 in September, based

on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) third quarter survey for 2008.

In the survey taken by Pulse Asia in October, Villar’s score went up by five percent to 17 percent from its last survey in July.

De Castro, however, remained the top choice to succeed President Arroyo in 2010 in both surveys.

Villar and former President Joseph Estrada tied in second place with 17 percent; followed by Senators Francis Escudero, 15 percent and Loren Legarda at 13 percent, based on the Pulse Asia survey conducted from Oct. 14 to 27.

At sixth place was Sen. Panfilo Lacson with seven percent, Sen. Manuel Roxas II with six percent, and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and evangelist Bro. Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva at one percent each.

Pulse Asia’s survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above.

De Castro also topped the SWS September survey with 29 percent, lower than his June score at 31.

Villar came in close second with 28 percent followed by Legarda at 26 percent.

The non-commissioned survey, fielded over Sept. 24 to 27, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Lacson was fourth with 17 percent, followed by Sen. Francis Escudero (16 percent), Estrada (13 percent), and Roxas also at 13 percent.

Mrs. Arroyo remained the choice of one percent of the respondents along with Fernando.

Also at one percent are Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Pangilinan, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Richard Gordon, Jinggoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal and Pia Cayetano, and former Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. both received 0.5 percent.

Nine percent of the respondents could not give any answer and nine percent had no one to recommend, the SWS said.

The scores of former president Estrada and Lacson also improved by two points and one point, respectively.

The mere mention of Legarda’s and Roxas’ names, however, was steady.

In the survey, the respondents were asked who are good leaders who should succeed President Arroyo in 2010.

The respondents were allowed to give up to three names of presidential contenders.

Kudeta vs Villar konektado sa 2010 prexy polls - JDV

MANILA – Kumbinsido si dating Speaker Jose de Venecia na malaki ang kinalaman sa girian ng mga “presidentiables" sa 2010 presidential elections sa pagkakaalis kay Senador Manny Villar bilang pinuno ng Senado nitong Lunes.

“The 2010 presidential elections is very clear, five presidentiables (Sens. Manuel Roxas, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon and Lacson) all go against Villar, that is very clear…to put it very well, (it’s all about) politics," ayon sa dating lider ng Kamara de Representantes nitong Martes.

Idinagdag ni De Venecia na mahirap talagang kontrolin ang liderato sa kapulungan kapag nanghimasok na ang Malacanang.

“Even I, after five terms, I could not control the situation (in the House) once Malacanang’s voted against me," idinagdag ni De Venecia na biktima rin ng kudeta sa kanyang liderato noong Pebrero 2008.

Hinihinalang ang pagtestigo ng anak niyang si Joey De Venecia III sa Senado tungkol sa ZTE-NBN deal ang dahilan kaya pinatalsik sa liderato si Rep De Venecia sa Kamara kapalit ni Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Sa kabila nito ay pinayuhan ni De Venecia ang bagong lider ng Senado si Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile na mag-ingat sa grupo ng bagong mayorya na kinabibilangan ng mga senador na kritiko ng Malacanang.

“Ingat (si) Sen. Enrile because he’s identified with Malacañang and lahat ng bumoto sa kanya eh puro against Malacanang," patungkol ni De Venecia kina Lacson at Madrigal.

Idinagdag nito na sa komposisyon ng bagong mayorya at pagkakaroon ng kanya-kanyang agenda ng mga senador ay hindi umano imposibleng malagay kaagad sa alanganin ang liderato ni Enrile.

“I suppose there’s an undesired convergence of interests because you have Lacson group, Madrigal group etc. They are anti-Malacanang but their candidate is (Sen. Juan) Ponce Enrile who is identified as a stalwart of Malacanang, so there was convergence of interests. Their desire to remove Villar was their primordial interest, so the beneficiary of that overriding interest is Enrile," paliwang ng dating speaker.

Kabilang sa bagong mayorya ang mga taga-oposisyon na sina Sens Lacson, Madrigal, Roxas, Legarda, Escudero, Rodolfo Biazon at Jinggoy Estrada. Kasama rin sa grupo ang mga pro-administrations Sens na sina Gordon, Lito Lapid, Gringgo Honasan, Ramon Revilla Jr, Miguel Zubiri, at Edgardo Angara.

Una ng nagpahayag ng pagdududa si Sen Aquilino Pimentel kung tatagal ang alyansa ng bagong liderato sa Senado na tinawag niyang “masahol" pa sa “halo-halo. gmanews.tv

Pagkaalis ni Villar bilang Senate President pabor daw sa NP

MANILA – Sa halip na malungkot sa pagkakaalis ni Sen Manny Villar bilang lider ng Senado, masaya pa ang ilang kasapi ng kanyang Nacionalista Party dahil matutukan umano nito ang pagpapalakas sa kanilang partido bilang paghahanda sa 2010 elections.

Sinabi ni dating Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, tagapagsalita ng NP, na magkakaroon na ngayon ng panahon si Villar na umikot sa mga lalawigan upang patatagin ang NP bilang paghahanda sa 2010 presidential elections.

Iginiit ni Remulla na pulitika pa rin ang nasa likod ng pagpapalit ng liderato sa Senado na pinatibay ng pagsuporta ng iba pang itinuturing “presidentiables" sa pagluklok kay Sen Juan Ponce Enrile bilang bagong lider ng Senado.

Lumitaw sa pinakahuling Pulse Asia survey na mula sa ika-limang pwesto ay pangalawa na si Villar kasunod ni Vice President Noli de Castro.

Nagpahayag din ng pangamba si Remulla na mawala ang pagiging indepedyente ng Senado sa ilalim ng liderato ni Enrile na kilalang kaalyado ng Malacanang.

“It’s regrettable that an independent stance of the Senate leadership results in the ouster of Villar. His allowing the arrest of Bolante and dela Paz is what did him in. But for the so-called members of the opposition to conspire with the administration in the ouster is deplorable. Perhaps his popularity as a presidentiable has become unbearably threatening to those who have moist eyes for the presidency," patungkol ni Remulla kina dating agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc" Bolante at dating Police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz.

Maging sina Bayan Muna Reps. Teodoro “Teddy" Casiño at Satur Ocampo ay nangangamba na makompromiso ang kalayaan ng Senado at makalusot ang planong Charter change (Cha-cha).

“Villar’s replacement by Enrile as Senate President benefits Malacanang. It has the effect of undermining the Senate’s independence and sabotaging ongoing investigations on the fertilizer fund scam and Euro Generals," ayon kay Casiño.

“Obviously, the GMA administration has managed to undermine Villar’s slim majority hold. The presidential elections and Villar’s backing of Bolante and Euro General probe may also be the factors to the coup," hirit ni Ocampo.

Sa kabila nito ay naniniwala si Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara na magpapatuloy ang pagiging indepedyente ng Senado sa ilalim ng bagong liderato ni Enrile.

“Not really because proponents are mix of opposition and administration senators. The chief beneficiaries are the other presidentiables because playing field now level among the senators aspiring for the highest post and new Senate President Enrile not perceived to be an aspirant in 2010," ayon Angara. gmanews.tv

Villar: ‘I am free’

MANILA, Philippines -- Former Senate president Manuel Villar said he has no regrets over having to step down from his post after losing the support of the majority in the chamber.

In fact, Villar said he is now relieved at being liberated from the many responsibilities of the Senate presidency.

“Okey na okey ako ditto [I’m really okay with this]. No feelings of regrets, talagang okey lang iyan [it really is okay],” he said over the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“At least now, I can say I am free and my movements are more unrestrained. I can now do many things I could not do when I was Senate president, so in a way, I also feel relieved. Right now, I feel I’m free so I am not really sad,” he said.

Villar could not say why there was a move to oust him from his post, saying he would rather leave it to the people to judge.

He also refused to say the ouster move had to do with his declaration he is running for president in 2010.

“Nagkataon naman na biglang nagta-top tayo sa survey ay nangyari ito. Pero as I said earlier, hayaan na lang natin [It so happened that I topped the surveys when this happened. But as I said earlier, let’s leave it at that],” he said.

“Ayoko namang pangunahan ang mga kasamahan natin. Maski na nasa kabilang partido ako, mananatili pa rin ang pag-galang ko sa kanila [I don’t want to second guess our colleagues. Even if I am now with the other partyt, I maintain my respect for them,” Villar said.

He said he is also confident his resignation would not affect his presidential bid.

“Sa tingin ko naman wala dahil ngayon magkakaroon na ako ng oras. Talaga namang malaking trabaho rin itong pagiging pangulo ng Senado at hindi ka masyadong makapagsalita dahil sa bumabalanse ka [I don’t think so because now I have more time. Being Senate president is really very hard work and you cannot really speak because you have to balance things],” he said. inquirer.net

Analyst: 2010 election period has begun

MANILA, Philippines--The resignation of Senate President Manuel "Manny" Villar not only signals the "start of the 2010 election period" but could also mean changes in how the chamber handles the investigation of the "fertilizer fund” and the "Euro generals" scams, a political analyst said Monday.

Ramon Casiple said the public must now keep an eye on the chairmanship of the Senate committees, particularly the blue ribbon.

The blue ribbon committee is spearheading the investigation into the alleged diversion by former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante of P728 million in fertilizer funds to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 2004 election campaign.

"Investigations will be affected because of the changes in the chairmanship of major committees, for example the blue ribbon committee, as [committee chairman] Senator [Allan Peter] Cayetano has always been identified with Villar," Casiple told INQUIRER.net in a phone
interview.

"The majority will flex its muscles over the chairmanship of major committees," he added, noting that Senate chairmanships are elected.

Cayetano resigned chair after Villar stepped down to give way to a reorganization.

Casiple said it was also expected that a non-presidential candidate replaced Villar as Senate president.

"It is clear that those who sided with Enrile are 2010 presidential candidates. This is internal politics affected by the virus of [the] 2010 elections," said Casiple.

Casiple said Villar is a big threat to the other presidential wannabes because he is the "front runner and declared candidate," has the most campaign funds, and has established a nationwide network.

"He was a serious threat to all ‘presidentiables.’ All the presidentiables he will be going up against banded together to get a non-presidentiable as Senate president."

Casiple also noted that although it is possible that Enrile’s ascent to the Senate presidency has to do with the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he remains a "wild card."

"Enrile is really a wild card. You can't classify [him] one way or another. He's always been wherever he wants to be. Don't put Enrile in a box...the key is what did he say he would do, and the people in the opposition went along with him," said Casiple.

"I don't buy the speculation that he [Enrile] is carrying the Palace agenda, because the situation now is a transition, the Philippine president is going into lame-duck presidency," he said. inquirer.net

Villar resigns as Senate President

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 6) Senator Manuel Villar resigned Monday as president of the Senate, saying he had learned that he no longer had the support of the majority of senators.

Villar announced his resignation in a speech at the start of the day’s session, saying he would be replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate president

Fourteen senators voted for Enrile, namely, Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose Estrada, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla, Manuel Roxas II and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Five abstained from the vote: Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Benigno Aquino III and Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Absent were Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Villar said, “The tenure of the Senate president, as everyone knows, epends on the number of members that supports him or her. I've been informed this afternoon that I no longer have the support of the majority members. I now, therefore tender my resignation.”

“I congratulate the new Senate president, Honorable Senator Juan Ponce Enrile,” he said. "You, Mr. Senate President, have my support."

The session was suspended briefly after Villar’s speech.

A radio report said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano subsequently resigned as chairman of the “blue ribbon committee”—the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation—to pave the way for a reorganization of committees.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has also resigned as minority floor leader.

Estrada presided over the remainder of the session, and Lacson immediately took the floor and moved to nominate Enrile as the new Senate president. Honasan seconded Lacson’s motion.

In an interview with reporters, Lacson said the controversy around a “double entry” in the budget for an extension of the C-5 highway, which implicated Villar, triggered the move for a change in the Senate leadership. He said the move to oust Villar became a "work in progress" from then on.

"How did it happen?” Lacson said to reporters. “It was actually work in progress for so many weeks ever since the double entry."

“You know, if there is perception that the Senate leadership is damaged because of the C-5 controversy, most of the members, the majority at least of the members of the Senate, will be thinking that the whole Senate could be affected,” he added.

Lacson said the number of senators needed to oust Villar was reached only on Monday noon. inquirer.net

Villar links ouster move to 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Former Senate President Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr on Monday hinted that the 2010 presidential election was among the reasons why he was voted out of Senate presidency.

Interviewed by Mel Tiangco over GMA’s 24 Oras, Villar however said that his removal from the third highest position in the land would not affect his presidential bid.

"Hindi mahalaga 'yan. Ang mahalaga ay ituloy ang mga trabaho natin [at] pagsisilbi sa bayan (My removal as Senate president is not important. What is important here is that I will continue to work on my advocacies for the public),” he said.

Villar resigned as Senate president Monday afternoon after learning that 14 senators had signed a resolution informing him that he has lost the confidence of the Senate majority.

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile replaced Villar.

Without naming names, Villar noted that five of those who voted against him have also expressed intention to run for president in the 2010 polls.

"At nakita mo naman siguro ... na yung limang kandidato sa pagkapangulo ay bumoto (laban) sa akin (As you can see, the five who want to run for president voted against me)," he said.

Those who voted against Villar were Sens. Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Those who abstained were Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent, Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV, who is currently detained, did not vote.

Already an ordinary senator, Villar said he would now have more time in his hands for public service, particularly in his advocacy to help distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"At gusto ko naman sabihin sa ating mga kababayan na tuloy pa rin po ang ating paglilingkod maski na isang regular na Senador na lamang, ay tuloy pa rin po ang ating pagtulong sa OFW, sa mga mahihirap, at sa paggawa ng mag panukala na makakatulong sa ating ekonomiya lalo na’t may krisis ngayon," said Villar.

(“What I want the public to know is that I will continue to serve them even as a regular senator. I will continue helping OFWs, the poor, by crafting bills that would help the economy especially now that we’re facing a financial crisis.”)gmanews.tv

Cayetano: Villar's ouster linked to 2010 elections

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said the switching of support by some senators from Senator Manuel Villar to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile may have been related to the presidential elections in 2010.

“I can’t really speculate, but from the start, the rest of the minority wanted what they call a level playing field for 2010 and some didn’t want Senator Villar,” he said.

Cayetano cited Villar’s leadership style as the possible reason why the Senate president lost the support of his colleagues.

“The controversial order to arrest Mr. Bolante may have also touched some nerves of some of the senators here,” he said.

What is important, according to Cayetano, is for the public to keep its eyes on the Senate and for the Senate to keep its integrity and independence from the executive branch.

He also expressed support for Enrile especially on items which need support.

“Hopefully, he will also respect our roles to be fiscalizers,” said Cayetano.

When asked to identify his colleagues who withdrew support from Villar, Cayetano said they only will be apparent when the new majority distributes the committees.

“Since there are only five or six of us who abstained, I would assume that everyone else supported this move for a new leadership,” said Cayetano.

“Everyone who gets their choice is a part of the new majority. I think it is happening now with Senator Miguel Zubiri at the podium,” referring to Zubiri’s present role as Monday’s acting majority floor leader.

Cayetano said some of the committee chairmen have already given up their posts in accordance with the new leadership.

Among those who reportedly withdrew their support from Villar are Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Edgardo Angara.

Meanwhile, a Senate source told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak said that with Villar moving up in the presidential opinion polls, other senatorial candidates eyeing the presidency would rather see Villar out of the Senate presidency even it means being allied with the pro-administration senators. abs-cbnnews.com

Enrile ousts Villar in Senate coup

Rather than be humiliated in public, Senator Manny Villar on Monday chose to step down as Senate president in light of a resolution signed by 13 senators declaring the position vacant.

“I have been informed just this afternoon that I no longer have the support of the majority of my colleagues. I now therefore formally tender my resignation. I am now released from the burden of the Senate presidency. I shall be happy now to devote more time as a fiscalizer, I shall now have more time with our people in the countryside, and also with my family,” Villar said.

Administration Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was installed as new Senate president.

The position caps the 85-year-old Enrile’s storied career in public service that saw him as defense minister during the dreaded martial law regime and one-man minority in at the start of the post-Edsa revolution Senate, during which he was jailed for alleged plots to unseat Cory Aquino.

Enrile is the 21st Senate president since Manuel Quezon.

“Even as I honestly never sought the position of Senate president for myself, I can tell you that no honor or recognition can compare to one such as this, which comes from my own peers. Allow me this opportunity to ask you, my colleagues, to forgive my shortcomings. I am an old man who has acquired some bad habits of sometimes being arrogant, rude, harsh with my words, insensitive and impatient. Yet, you have so kindly overlooked these shortcomings and generously chose me to be your leader,” Enrile said.

Although only 13 signed the ouster resolution, 14 actually voted on the floor of the change in leadership.

Those who voted to replace Villar with Enrile as Senate president were: Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Bong Revilla, Mar Roxas, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Enrile himself. Nine of them, including Enrile, previously voted for Villar.

There were no negative votes.

Six abstained in the Senate leadership change: Joker Arroyo, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel jr., Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III.
Four of them are from the so-called Wednesday group identified with Villar: Joker Arroyo, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and majority leader Francis Pangilinan.

Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Benigno Aquino III also abstained despite the fact they were with the minority that formed the core group of the oust-Villar move.

Enrile, as martial law administrator, was the chief jailer of Pimentel and Aquino’s father, Ninoy.


Villar’s allies admitted the ouster move came as a surprise even as coup talks have hounded Villar’s leadership since day one of the 14th Congress.

Not a few have speculated Villar’s declared intention to run for president in 2010, and the perceived advantage given by the Senate presidency was the underlying reason for the ouster move.

As if by coincidence, Villar was ousted just hours after the release of a Pulse Asia survey on presidentiables showing him tied for second place from a previous fifth place.

But Alan Cayetano believes this would only serve to boost Villar’s political plans.

“Mas lalakas kasi, may time na siyang magikot sa buong bansa. I don’t think people look at candidates kung anong hawak nilang posisyon, and I never felt malaki talaga ang advantage ni Senator Villar sa masa just because of his position

But Lacson insists the 2010 race was farthest from their mind.

He said the ouster move was prompted by ethical issues surrounding Villar’s C-5 extension project.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson led the oust-Villar move after the C-5 issue came about. “That was the time naging serious ang efforts para maghanap ng bagong leader,” Lacson said.

In the wake of the leadership change, Pangilinan and Pimentel resigned as majority and minority leaders respectively.

Cayetano also relinquished the blue ribbon committee chairmanship in anticipation of a shakeup in committee assignments.

With the installation of an administration ally as Senate chief, the chamber will be under intense scrutiny for its position on issues adversely affecting Malacañang.

But Enrile and his backers maintain the Senate will remain independent from the Palace. abs-cbnnews.com

Villar resigns as Senate prexy; Enrile takes over as new chief

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar announced his resignation as Senate president on Monday amid rumors that majority of the senators were out to oust him. Earlier in the day, rumors were rife that a petition for Villar's ouster was circulating.

"My dear colleagues in this august chamber, the tenure of the Senate President - as everyone knows - depends on the number of members that supports him or her. I was informed this afternoon I no longer have the support of majority of my colleagues," Villar said in his opening statement after declaring the start of the session.

"I therefore tender my resignation and congratulate the new senate President, Honorable Juan Ponce Enrile," Villar said.

"You have my support in seeing to it this chamber continue to maintain its unquestionable independence and solid reputation," Villar told Enrile.

Villar, who earlier declared his intention to run as president in 2010, thanked those who supported his two-year term as Senate president, counting the time he took over from Sen. Franklin Drilon during the 13th Congress.

He said he can "serve fully and sincerely" even if he is not Senate president.

He said that after he is "released from the burdens of being Senate President," he will devote his time as fiscalizer, adding that he will have "more time to be with the people in the countryside and with my family."

Villar then suspended the session.

Palace washes hands

Malacañang said it has nothing to do with the change in leadership at the Senate.

"We respect the independence of any action taken by the Senate regarding its own organization. The Palace no involvement whatsoever in the senate's leadership change," said Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio in a statement sent to reporters.

Claudio extended Malacañang's "warm felicitations and congratulations" to Enrile, adding that it looks forward to "fresh opportunities for greater cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in addressing the pressing challenges and problems confronting the nation."

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo described Villar's resignation as "most admirable." She said Enrile and Villar "will undoubtedly continue to serve the country and maintain the integrity and eminence of the senate."

Enrile is president at last

Sen. Panfilo Lacson nominated Enrile to be Senate president after Senate president pro tempre Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada reopened the session. The nomination was seconded by Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.

Out of the 23 senators, 14 voted for Enrile while six abstained.

Those who voted for Enrile were Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Those who abstained were Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent.

Sens Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV (detained) did not vote.

Enrile was declared Senate President after Honasan administered the oath of office.

Enrile deferred all other moves to pave way for the reorganization of the Senate. He said he would be talking with the senators Tuesday to discuss the reorganization.

In explaining his absention, Aquino told reporters he was caught in a dilemma as Enrile is known to be an administration ally.

"I would have preferred Sens Manuel Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson or Loren Legarda to be Senate President," Aquino said.

He said he believed there should be a change in leadership but he wants someone that would make a "firmer opposition."

He cited Enrile's "past and present" relationship with his family as one of the reasons for his abstention. He said Enrile was the sole opposition during his mother's, former President Corazon Aquino, administration.

He said what could have sealed Villar's fate was his failure to unite the opposition in the Senate.

"From the start he never even bothered to talk to the opposition. Nilakihan niya 'yong base niya and it seems he became comfortable with the administration," Aquino said.

Estrada remained Senate Pro-Tempore after Enrile asked him to.

Estrada said he voted for Enrile because they belong to the same political party but he denied that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, had influenced his decision.

"I'm my own man," the younger Estrada said.

He added that Enrile stuck it out with his family during their trying times particularly when the impeachment complaint was filed against his father.

"Malaki ang pinagsamahan namin. Do you expect me to part ways from him," Estrada said. He, however, said that the decision he made was "very painful."

Meanwhile, Sens Lacson and Madrigal believed the C-5 controversy was the main reason for Villar's ouster.

"Ito yung resulta ng double insertion privilege namin ni Sen Lacson. Nawalan na siya (Villar) ng moral ascendancy to lead the Senate. The decision was made beyond parties and beyond personalities," Madrigal said.

For his part, Lacson said: "This is a collective effort. The Senate leadership had been damaged."

On the other hand, Sen Cayetano believed the 2010 presidential elections is behind the move against Villar.

"They have been saying from the start of the 14th Congress when Villar was elected Senate president that the playing field should be leveled," Cayetano said.

He said he will be observing the move and decisions of the new leadership particularly on the issue of Charter change, on who will seat at the Judicial and Bar Council with the retirement of seven justices, and the investigations that will be conducted.

Cayetano said Villar told him that the latter is OK and he should not worry about him.

Earlier in the day, talk was rife in the Senate that a move to oust Villar was in the offing. Senator Richard Gordon said it would be an "exciting session" on Monday afternoon.

Seen visiting Villar in his office before the start of the session were Senators Enrile and Honasan.

Enrile earlier said he was satisfied and contented with Villar's leadership.

Enrile is a lawyer and a long-time politician who rose to fame during the administration of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

He rose from being undersecretary of finance from 1966 to 1968 before becoming acting Insurance Commissioner and Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. From 1968 to 1970, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Justice.

In 1970, Enrile was appointed Secretary of the Department of National Defense. In 1972, Enrile claimed that he was ambushed, one of Marcos' reasons for the declaration of martial law.

In 1986, he broke away from the ailing Marcos with other military men including former President Fidel Ramos. The move sparked the first EDSA "people power" uprising.

From 1987, he then went on to serve in the Senate. gmanews.tv