At least 3 vying for Senate president

MANILA, Philippines — At least three senators will be slugging it out for the post of Senate president, who should be elected before the 19th Congress opens its first regular session on July 25.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is the latest candidate for the post, although he is the first to declare his intention to head the Senate.

“I’m vying for the Senate presidency. I have some good plans for the institution,” Gatchalian told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News Thursday, adding that he is banking on his six years of experience in the Senate and the “relationships” he has forged with fellow senators.

In fact, he claims to be in “talks” with some of his colleagues about his bid to be the next Senate president; and among them are previously reported early contenders for the post – Sen. Cynthia Villar and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Gatchalian did not say what response he got from Villar or Zubiri, if any.

“I bring to the table my work in passing important legislation on education and energy… They know me as very serious with work,” Gatchalian said.

He dismissed reports, including statements attributed to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and returning senator Jinggoy Estrada, that initial counting of votes showed Villar as the next Senate president even as another returning senator, Francis Escudero, has been mentioned as a possible contender.

Gatchalian noted that the winners in the elections have yet to be proclaimed and that the 19th Congress has yet to convene.

He declined, though, from disclosing how many of his colleagues have committed to support his bid in the morning session of July 25, saying he would “reserve” the answer to that for the future.

The senator who hails from Valenzuela City said a “super majority” in both the Senate and the House of Representatives is possible because of the strong mandate of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos Jr.

He said the Senate should be both “cooperative and collaborative” with the Marcos administration as such would help iron out differences between the legislative branch and Malacañang and “minimize or eliminate politics.”

‘Knows the rules’

On Tuesday, Zubiri said any talk about the jockeying for the Senate leadership was premature as the chamber still has pending bills to pass before the 18th Congress adjourns on June 3.

Some senators, who declined to be identified for now, however, appear to be siding with Zubiri, describing him as “most acceptable” and “consensus-builder” being well-versed with the Senate rules and traditions.

Senators see these traits as very important in ensuring the swift passage of legislation and promoting harmony, especially during debates and voting on crucial issues.

“Leaders of the Senate should know and follow the rules or else there will be chaos. The rules are there for stability… the Senate must maintain its good image of being independent,” one senator said, warning that poor leadership could lead to a coup in the chamber which could disrupt their work.

The senator also said members of the business community are also closely watching developments as whoever will be elected as leader of the Senate could influence the kind of economic legislation that will be passed by the chamber. – With Edu Punay, Evelyn Macairan

Loren on media

Returning senator, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, has expressed optimism that the media would continue to thrive under the incoming administration.

The veteran legislator, who was a journalist for 20 years before joining politics, believes that while press freedom will face challenges – just as in previous administrations – it will remain protected by the 1987 Constitution.

“We thrive in a democracy. I was in media for 20 years. I know that it can’t be perfect in every administration,” she stressed in an interview with CNN Philippines.

She called on the media to continue performing its watchdog role under the incoming administration. “I will urge you, members of the media, to report in the most responsible and comprehensive manner,” she said.

Asked if she will be an ally of the media under a Marcos Jr. administration, the UniTeam senatorial candidate said she is an “ally of the Filipino people, not just for one sector.”

Having placed second in the 12-slot senatorial race, Legarda also laid down her legislative plans for the incoming 19th Congress, vowing to pursue her advocacy on sustainable pandemic recovery where economic plans should be intertwined with environmental protection programs.

“We can’t allow climate change policies to be handled by one agency. The whole government must mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation,” she stressed.

Legarda also committed to push for the “One Tablet, One Student Act” for learning; employment generation and job matching brought to the barangay level; civil union of same-sex couples, and annulment access for the poor.

She expressed reservations, though, on calls for the legalization of marijuana and the passage of an anti-political dynasty law.

Limited attendance at proclamation

At the Commission on Elections (Comelec), acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said yesterday that winning senators would be allowed to bring only three companions during their proclamation.

For a winning party-list group, only two representatives are allowed at the proclamation, said Laudiangco, who said these guidelines are necessary in the interest of public health during the pandemic.

While no date has yet been set, the Comelec is considering a same-day proclamation for the 12 winning senators and 63 seats in the House of Representatives to be filled by winning party-list groups.

“This is not a hard and fast rule. The Commission en banc (sitting as National Board of Canvassers or NBOC), upon the guidance of the Oversight Committee and Supervisory Committee, we are also studying if we could have a joint proclamation,” Laudiangco said.  “We have to wait for the resolution.” – Edu Punay, Evelyn Macairan