Senators vow to support Enrile

MANILA, Philippines - Senators expressed support yesterday for the leadership of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile amid talks that he is ready to step down due to the impending change in the composition of the Senate after the May elections.

Sen. Francis Escudero believes there is no compelling reason for a change in the Senate leadership. If Enrile would have other reasons like health concerns, he said he would respect the Senate President’s decision.

“He knows best when it comes to that issue and I will always accept and respect his personal stand on holding (office) because to hold otherwise would be ‘involuntary servitude’,” Escudero said.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. also voiced his support after Enrile said Sunday that he is ready to step down, citing health reasons.

“I understand where he is coming from, especially considering his personal circumstances,” Revilla said in a statement.

He also lauded the 88-year-old Senate President for serving the Senate well since his designation in 2008.

“I’m sure despite differences in opinions, everyone in the Senate has great respect for what the institution has accomplished under his leadership,” he said.

Revilla, who now heads the Lakas-NUCD party, noted how Enrile has succeeded in transcending party lines, making sure that the Senate works for the people.

“Nobody can underestimate how Enrile ran the affairs of the Senate and the accomplishments under his leadership. He is not just a good leader, he is also a good friend. I consider him not only a mentor but also like a father,” he said.

Aside from Revilla and Escudero, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, majority leader Vicente Sotto III, senators Gregorio Honasan, Sergio Osmeña III and Panfilo Lacson expressed optimism that Enrile would remain at the helm of the Senate, at least until after the May elections.

Osmeña pointed out that this is not the time to change the Senate leadership since there are still three weeks of session left until the long break.

“But I can understand the desire of JPE to step down in the next Congress and take a less stressful role in lawmaking. The next Senate President will certainly have large shoes to fill,” he said.

Sotto, a known ally of Enrile, said the top Senate post and the other key posts “serve through the collective mandate of the majority.”

“If majority or anyone wants a change in leadership, there are options that are possible. I would welcome any change in my case so that I will have more time for my family and myself and probably for other endeavors than being tied down to the Senate. You will know what I mean,” he said.

Lacson, who is on his last term, believes that Enrile remains the “smartest choice” for Senate President  in the 16th Congress or at least until his term ends in 2016.

“His leadership has always been consensual and participatory. His wisdom is challenging, his work ethic infectious,” he said.

“Be that as it may, it is his personal call to declare the Senate Presidency open to any member. In which case, Sen. Drilon should be the hands down logical choice,” he added.

For his part, Estrada said Enrile’s leadership would be a “hard act to follow.”

 Enrile had said he is prepared to step down by June or July, or when a new set of 12 senators, who may comprise a new majority, would come in after the elections.

He admitted that old age is catching up with him. He is turning 89 on Feb. 14.