Serge: Drilon likely to sit as Senate President in 16th Congress

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Franklin Drilon will likely sit as Senate President in the 16th Congress if majority of the administration's senatorial bets will win in the May 13 elections, according to Sen. Sergio Osmeña on Thursday.

“President Aquino already announced or floated the name of Sen. Drilon and I think Sen. Drilon is well qualified to be the next Senate President. And Senator Drilon’s relationship with Senator Enrile is very good,” Osmeña said.

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa Senado, Osmeña said he does not see any problem with Drilon becoming the next Senate president.

“Of course, there might be a dark horse who might have ambition but I don’t see anything at this time,” he said.

Osmeña said the changes in the Senate leadership “is already a given since two months ago.”

“However, we knew already that there will be changes in July when the new Congress comes about. We can practically be definite it will happen, yes,” Osmeña said.

He said Enrile’s ouster from the post is imminent since the pro-Liberal Party senators have allied with the group of Nacionalista Party (NP) led by Sen. Manny Villar.

“The division today is between UNA and Team P’noy. Nalalaman naman kayo kung sino nasa UNA, sino mananalo at kung sino nasa Team Pinoy,”  Osmeña said.