Drilon ready to be ‘acting president’

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he is ready to abide by his constitutional duty to become "acting president," amid calls by the Black and White (B&W) Movement for President Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro to resign.

As the third highest official of the land, Drilon said it is part of his mandate, under the constitutional succession clause, to assume the top post once it is declared vacant.

A close aide of Drilon said that the Senate president is unlikely to run away from responsibility if there is a need for him to fill in a vacancy in the presidential or vice presidential seats.

Drilon also clarified his earlier statement that he has no intention of joining the B&W Movement, following the Palace’s announcement lauding the Senate president’s rejection of the offer.

Drilon has also denied having joined any meeting of the B&W Movement, which is composed of Mrs. Arroyo’s former Cabinet officials.

The movement, led by former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman and former education secretary Butch Abad, sought the President’s resignation last July 8, the same day Drilon led the Liberal Party in asking the President to step down.

The B&W has also urged De Castro to take the reins of power from Mrs. Arroyo and head an advisory council as "transition president" until 2007 when a special election would be held.

De Castro was given until Nov. 30 to withdraw support from Mrs. Arroyo and accept the proposal.

The group later withdrew support from De Castro and diverted support to Drilon’s succession as "acting president." — Christina Mendez