Palace stays clear of Senate presidency race

Malacañang has distanced itself from the brewing fight for control of the Senate that is expected to happen within the administration’s majority bloc in the chamber.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the predicted battle for the Senate presidency between Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is an internal matter of the Senate and that President Arroyo respects the independence of the chamber.

It was earlier reported that Villar may challenge Drilon for the leadership of the Senate when the 13th Congress opens its First Regular Session on July 25.

Opposition Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said a bloc within the Senate majority identified with Villar will challenge Drilon’s presidency of the chamber when the 13th Congress convenes.

The Senate minority bloc, Pimentel also said, does not have the numbers to challenge Drilon for the Senate presidency.

"We treat this as an internal matter and the President respects the independence, the co-equal branch of government status, of the two chambers of Congress," Bunye said. "So, if (the President) has any personal opinion on these matters, maybe she will keep it to herself," he said.

Bunye changed the topic, focusing instead on the role Vice President-elect Noli de Castro will play in the Arroyo administration.

"It will be a very important role (De Castro) will take on," Bunye said. "He will be a hard-working vice president, who will be very much engaged in the implementation of the programs of our President."

Bunye, however, declined to provide any details as to what de Castro’s duties as a "hard-working vice president" will be, but said the President "believes in the capabilities of the vice president and what he can do."— Marvin Sy