Senate employees rally behind JPE

MANILA, Philippines - Employees and staff members of senators on Wednesday gathered in front of the Senate building as they expressed support for the leadership of President Juan Ponce Enrile.

The Senate employees' show of support came three weeks after the legislative body was rocked by controversy on Enrile's alleged uneven allocation of funds to four senators.

The employees represented several offices including General Services, Finance division, Senate secretariat and the offices of Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, majority leader Vicente Sotto III, Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla Jr, and Lito Lapid.

They carried placards that read: “We are happy with Enrile”,  “Senate President, We love ou and support you all the way”,  “We love you Manong Johnny,” and “No more fighting! Save the Senate!”.

Under the scorching sun, the crowd went out to dramatize their support during lunch break while chanting: “JPE!, JPE!”.

Some also showed support for lawyer Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, Enrile's former chief of staff whose name was dragged into the controversy after making negative comments against senators in media interviews.

Enrile has denied any romantic relationship with Reyes, who has filed an irrevocable resignation at the height of the fracas last week.

Those who were pro-Reyes carried placards which read: “Ma’am Gigi, please be strong for us”, “Atty. Gigi, please don’t leave us”,”The Senate loves you Atty. Reyes”, and “We believe in you Atty. Reyes.”

Simeon Garcia,  Estrada’s chief of staff, said the show of force is an indication of the massive support given by the employees to the Senate president.

“This is a proof that we are happy with Enrile as Senate President, Garcia said.

“Regardless of the personality concerned, whoever will love and support the employees, we will also respect and love him,” Garcia added.

“We support SP Enrile  in fact, he has also brought honor and integrity to the Senate by performing very well in the impeachment case. That is seen in the Corona impeachment trial,” Garcia said.

Rudy Cristonal, who works as a driver at the Senate, said he is happy under Enrile’s leadership. For Cristobal, who has been a rank-and-file employee for the past 25 years, Enrile’s leadership is the best because of the benefits and non-monetary on programs to uplift the welfare of employees.

Unmanageable?

Meanwhile, administration senator Franklin Drilon described this batch of senators as one of the “most unmanageable” in the Senate for the 15 years that he has been senator.

“This is one of the most unmanageable group,” Drilon said in a television interview on Tuesday night.

Drilon made the statement almost two weeks after Enrile got the support of majority of the senators. He was among the 11 senators who voted against Enrile’s move to declare his seat vacant.

“As the recent event would show, it is the most unmanageable,” Drilon added.

With administration bets and opposition candidates slugging it out for the Top 12 winning circle in the senatorial race, Drilon said it is too early to tell whether which group will get the majority slots during election time.

“I repeat, my 15 years of experience in the Senate, they are the most unmanageable. Look, in the recent past and even today, can you tell me who is in the majority and the minority in the Senate?” Drilon said.

Drilon cited this as a reason on why there is a need for the administration senatorial bets to win the elections in May. Drilon did not hide the administration’s intent because President Aquino needs to the support of the majority of the Senate so he can push a lot of reforms during the last three years of his administration.

Drilon even noted how slim the votes he got during the passage of the sin tax measure despite Palace’s certification that it is a priority measure. The measure was passed with 10 senators approving and nine seantors voting against it.