Joker: Other side had no clear agenda

It was the political opposition’s lack of a clear agenda other than to stage the political comeback of deposed President Joseph Estrada, that split the Senate’s Wednesday Group and prompted Senators Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto to finally join the administration’s Team Unity.

After a series of discussions, Arroyo said the Wednesday Group had to part ways because they did not agree on a number of issues.

The Wednesday Group was composed of Arroyo, Recto, Senate President Manuel Villar and Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan.

Arroyo lamented that Villar was "already on his own" even if they intended to keep the entire group together.

While they (Wednesday Group) were together in fighting off President Arroyo’s dictatorial tendencies, Senator Arroyo said he could not agree in principle with the Estrada camp, which had refused to recognize the provision on constitutional succession at the height of the resignation call against Mrs. Arroyo.

In their joint statement, Arroyo and Recto stressed that the opposition has yet to explain what it intends to do if most of its candidates win in the midterm election.

"On balance, until the opposition can offer something more than the impeachment of the President, the country is better off letting this administration complete the work it is doing while keeping a close watch on anything else it may attempt," the joint statement said.

Recto and Arroyo also recognized that it is best to work for what is best for country than pursue their own political interests. "No one can deny that the country is moving forward. The political choice in the coming election is to trip up the country or help it along," they added.

"Yes, the administration has committed grave blunders. But through all these, the President never tried to dissuade us from opposing her," Recto and Arroyo said.

In 2004, Recto and Arroyo ran under the K-4 coalition but they also contested Malacanang’s stand on many issues.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson for his part said he was saddened by the "inevitable split" in the "Wednesday group’"

"I still wish them well, in spite of not being able to campaign under one ticket and run on a platform of an independent Senate, among our individual advocacies," Lacson said.

Going independent

Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and Pangilinan decided to go "independent" yesterday as they welcomed endorsements from the political opposition.

Prior to the United Opposition (UNO)’s announcement considering them as candidates, Villar and Pangilinan held a joint press conference at the Senate to formally announce their decision to run as "independent" senators.

"I confirm that I am running independent and that my platform will be pursued by the Nacionalista Party (of) which I am president," Villar said. He said he wanted to give more emphasis on being "independent" from UNO and other political parties.

Asked if he was still joining UNO, Villar said "we are not closing any doors. The decision to go separate ways was inevitable (among candidates and partymates)."

Pangilinan said he was comfortable projecting an "independent conscience voice" in the coming elections "as how it was in the last two years."

"In my case to pursue my candidacy as an independent with the Liberal Party that I hope, will carry my candidacy," Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan surmised that their being considered by both the administration and the opposition spoke a lot about their track records.

"At the end it is because of our track record and our performance. We wouldn’t be acceptable to both camps if they think our performance wasn’t good in the past couple of years," Pangilinan said.

At the same time, Villar and Pangilinan expressed confidence that the vast network of Liberal and Nacionalista parties put together will be enough to support their nationwide campaign.

Both senators also recognized the wide reach of the media, particularly television and radio broadcasts, and through campaign commercials to be able to reach their mass bases in various provinces and municipalities in the country.

"We are both independent (candidates), at the LP there are only two candidates – I and (Tarlac Rep.) Nonoy (Aquino) while NP has (Sen.) Villar and (Rep. Alan) Cayetano. We may be an independent block, if you can call it that, but we are not pushovers," Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said he was working on the principle of having stood for the Senate as an institution when its existence was being battered by the administration. Although there were times he joined colleagues in going against the administration, Pangilinan said he did not totally block efforts on legislation that would help the country as a whole.

"Rather than say why I am not joining UNO, I am ready to join them on issues that I think will benefit the greater Filipino people. I am also ready to help the administration if it’s also for the good of the people," Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said he respects the decision of Arroyo and Recto to join the administration ticket.

"I believe that we need to trust the people on this issue," he said.

Pangilinan said he was ready to face the consequences of his decision.

"This is a calculated risk, obviously. This is an uncharted course in that sense. There will be some losses, there will be some gains. In the end, we are hopeful that the people will finally decide," Pangilinan said. But Villar said the Wednesday Group remains a "social club."