Villar to give JDV a run for his money for PM post — Paras

A Visayas congressman is eyeing Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. for the position of prime minister if the country shifts to a parliamentary system.

Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras said among senators, it is Villar who can give Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. a run for his money in the fight for the prime minister post.

"Senator Villar is definitely a force to reckon with because of his solid relationship with members of both chambers (of Congress)," he said.

Paras counts himself with the opposition, though he is an ally of the majority bloc on many issues, including Charter change (Cha-cha). He said he is quitting the opposition due to differences with Minority Leader Francis Escudero.

Besides Paras, if there is a fight for prime minister, Villar, who is Nacionalista Party president, can count on his NP group in the House for support. The group, which has fewer than 20 members, is led by his wife, Cynthia, representative of the lone district of Las Piñas.

The Villars can certainly bankroll Senator Villar’s bid for prime minister, or the presidency if the Cha-cha train is derailed. They are reportedly the richest lawmakers, with assets worth more than P700 million and no liabilities.

Among House members, De Venecia is the dominant aspirant for prime minister. He leads a multi-party coalition in his chamber that is expected to support him.

Paras said if Villar, who is an administration ally, is able to assume the Senate presidency, the Senate would be a more hospitable forum for Cha-cha.

At present, the Senate is perceived to be anti-Cha-cha, though what most senators really want is for Charter change proponents to follow the constitutional process in proposing amendments to the Constitution.

They have approved a resolution expressing their sense that the House cannot bypass the Senate on Cha-cha and that any amendment would require the approval of the two chambers voting separately.

Villar has a term-sharing arrangement with Senate President Franklin Drilon, who has vowed to relinquish his post if a majority of senators vote for Villar as their new leader. Villar needs at least 13 votes, which he lacks unless the seven-member opposition bloc led by Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. supports his bid for their chamber’s leadership.

In a related development, Sulu Rep. Hussin Amin appealed to senators and congressmen "to let their patriotism rein in our people’s quest for fundamental reforms."

"We in Mindanao, particularly Muslim Filipinos, are expecting our political leaders to set aside political and personal differences on the issue of Charter change," he said.

Amin said he and other Mindanao leaders want a federal set-up for their region so it can realize its full development potential.

"There would be a stronger local autonomy under a parliamentary-federal system. We want to chart our own destiny and promote regional development as Filipinos under one flag," he added.

He stressed that the Senate and the House should come to an agreement on Cha-cha "for the sake of the nation."