Leadership only for a leader EDITORIAL 07/18/2010

Leadership only for a leader

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/18/2010 Some interesting battle is happening at the Senate that would likely have its leadership retained by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, a development that bespeaks of an independent 15th Senate, led by an independent Senate chieftain. The configuration of forces in the chamber, which is not known for defined party boundaries, has, as the main contenders for the post, Senators Francis Pangilinan of the Liberal Party (LP) and Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP), in a likely deadlock, with none willing to give in to either of the two declared aspirants for the Senate presidency. Valid issues have been raised against both Pangilinan and Villar that kept either from getting unqualified support from their colleagues. On Villar were the still unresolved issues involving the C-5 road controversy prior to the national elections while Pangilinan is being perceived as being too close to President Aquino that may compromise the independence of the Senate. Truth to tell, this early, there already appears to be a compromising situation in the sense of Noynoy Aquino clearly meddling in the Senate race — as well as the justice arena — as Noynoy has telegraphed his punches in his bid to get a detained senator released, just to get him to vote for Pangilinan. The support within two rival fences remains constant but with the group of five led by Sen. Edgardo Angara, within Villar’s group willing to compromise, but not in favor of their rival but in support of Enrile, who had not even thrown his hat into the battle ring, the probability of Enrile retaining his seat is greater... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100718com1.html

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