Villar to challenge LP bets for top Senate post By Angie M. Rosales and Gerry Baldo 06/21/2010

EMISSARY SENT TO COURT ENRILE Villar to challenge LP bets for top Senate post By Angie M. Rosales and Gerry Baldo 06/21/2010 Sen. Manuel Villar who seems to have his wounds healed from the May 10 polls is now seeking a comeback as Senate president and had sent an emissary to convince one of his most recent staunch critics, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, to support his bid for the upper chamber presidency. Enrile, however, had turned down the idea, saying he’d rather go independent or coalesce with the ranks of the Liberal Party (LP) members and allies than align with the so-called Villar bloc. Enrile himself revealed this, emphasizing that the issue is nothing personal against Villar but more of “delicadeza.” In a radio interview, the Senate chief said that not only the ranks of Senators Francis Pangilinan and Franklin Drilon sought him out for support in their respective bids for the upper chamber presidency but also Villar through an emissary. “They sent an emissary insinuating an invitation, asking me if I could join their group even if I would opt not to vote for him. They just want to make sure I will join them,” Enrile said, referring to the number requirements in installing a Senate president. Under Senate rules, a solid vote of 13 is needed to elect an upper chamber leader. “But I told them, that (proposition) will not work for me. This is nothing personal but I don’t  think it’s possible, even if I will not cast my vote for him because the moment I take on committee assignments under his leadership, if and when Villar gets elected, it signifies the same thing,” he explained.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100621hed1.html

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