4 re-electionist senators still undecided on alliances

Four reelectionist senators who belong to the so-called "Wednesday Group" at the Senate have not reached a final consensus on whether they will run on one ticket or go their separate ways for the May elections.

With barely 36 hours before Feb. 12, the deadline for the filing of candidacies for those running for national positions, Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said he and his colleagues still "failed to reach an agreement as a group at this time." They met at an undisclosed place very near the Senate until 1 a.m. yesterday.

"It’s a stalemate. We have agreed that we will continue to try and ensure that until the deadline of filing our decision as a group be unanimous. At this point, three of the four have agreed to run under a common ticket and one of us remains unconvinced," he said.

Pangilinan said it was better to "withhold their respective decisions on where it is we are to align ourselves."

The Wednesday Group was scheduled to meet anew Thursday night to thresh out their respective concerns. They expect to come out with a major decision over the weekend or at least by Feb. 12.

Interviewed over radio station dzBB, Recto said the ideal situation is that all of them run under an independent banner. However, Recto said it will take a lot of logistics for a person to be able to campaign all over the country.

"There are many challenges ahead of us. At the Senate, you need a group in order to get your bills passed into law, and being a legislator is a very humbling experience. You lose your cool, you lose," Recto said.

Recto noted that there are 24 "separate republics" in the Senate, and what is important is that as individuals they learn the art of compromise.

He confirmed that the Wednesday Group – whom he described as composed of "moderate personalities" – has received invitations to join the administration and opposition ticket. They remain undecided.

Recto reiterated anew that public expectations are beyond the fight between ex-President Joseph Estrada and President Arroyo.

"This is a shared responsibility. Our job is to work on legislation," he said.

Villar’s camp declared that there has been a "deadlock" and that they were again scheduled to meet last night to finalize details.

The group has been discussing their options almost everyday this week in a bid to address concerns on what party they should all join for the senatorial campaign. The administration early on announced Recto and Arroyo would be in Team Unity, which reelectionist Sen. Edgardo Angara also decided to join at the last minute. Villar is reportedly pursuing his senatorial bid under the opposition’s coalition.

If the mock elections by Senate employees’ union are to be considered, all members of the Wednesday Group made it to the top 12, ranked from fourth to seventh.

The so-called "Magic 12" was composed of Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero with 535 votes; Sen. Panfilo Lacson, 424 votes; Taguig-Pateros Rep. Allan Peter Cayetano, 374; Recto, 365; Sen. Joker Arroyo, 346; Pangilinan, 343; Villar, 338 votes; former senator Gregorio Honasan, 376; Angara, 324; Koko Pimentel, 298; defeated vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, 297; and Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, 281.

At Malacañang, Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said in an interview that the administration will announce its senatorial lineup once the Wednesday Group members make up their minds. – With Aurea Calica