MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. is reportedly trying to resolve his dispute with Sen. Jamby Madrigal, who has become one of his most vocal critics.
Sources said Villar has a standing dinner invitation to Madrigal even as the two have been at odds over the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Madrigal, however, has yet to decide whether to accept the invitation or not.
Observers said senators used to maintain good and friendly relations and that even after intense debates, they could laugh with each other.
But at present, even some senators lamented that attacks had become personal and that differences over issues seemed to extend beyond the floors of the session hall.
Senators have been known as “independent republics” and would act only according to his or her principle.
Madrigal had always attacked Villar over his leadership style wherein the Senate president encourages debates during sessions but later come out with decisions through consensus.
“Last Valentine’s Day, Villar even sent her (Madrigal) a beautiful bouquet of flowers, but then again the issue on the CA came up again,” a source said.
Madrigal had earlier expressed outrage over the decision of CA officials to hold plenary deliberations on the confirmation of appointees on the last day of session where she could not invoke Section 20 and block the process. – Aurea Calica