Marcos backs Villar's Senate presidency bid

SENATOR Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. committed to support Senator Manny Villar for the Senate President post amid persuasion of the Liberal Party (LP) for him to back its bet, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.

Marcos said newly-elected Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III approached him to solicit his vote in favor of the LP candidate.

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"I said my position is very clear that I ran with the NP (Nacionalista Party), I won with the NP, so I will stay within the group," Marcos said, revealing that around seven to eight senators have signed a resolution expressing support for Villar.

The LP endorsed Pangilinan in the hotly-contested seat and claimed to have stored 10 votes. But until July 26, none so far can be assured of gaining the post.

Meanwhile, Senator Edgardo Angara (from the independent bloc) reassured that the race for the Senate presidency is fair and unbiased towards any of the contenders despite speculations on the alliances in the Senate.

"It's quite unfair for Senator Kiko Pangilinan, or for anyone for that matter, to hastily assume that he or any of the other candidates for the Senate presidency does not have our bloc's support," he said.

He noted that his bloc will likely vote for a Senate leader who can uphold the autonomy of the Senate, pushes for a reform agenda, and is not an obstructionist. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)