PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is backing the bid of Senator Francis Pangilinan for the Senate presidency, citing that having an ally-lead Congress would be good in pushing his legislative agenda.
In an interview, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said being friends and members of the Liberal Party were among the reasons for the President's support to Pangilinan.
"Desisyun ito ng Liberal Party at si Pangulong Aquino ay kasapi nito. Ang Partido Liberal will be backing and supporting Senator Pangilinan in his bid for the Senate presidency," he said.
Pangilinan, who will be running against Nacionalista Party's Manny Villar, is reportedly supported by nine senators that include Senators Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto, and Teofisto Guingona Jr.
Aquino's allies in the Senate, who belongs to other parties such as Senators Francis Escudero, Vicente Sotto III, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Sergio Osmeña III, are reportedly backing Pangilinan.
"Siyempre mas mabuti para sa amin sa administrasyong Aquino na ang Senate President at ang Speaker of the House ay kaalyado ng administrasyon," he added.
On midnight deals
Meanwhile, Lacierda said all midnight deals and contracts entered into by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would be reviewed and possibly cancelled if irregularities are discovered.
He said all Cabinet officials had been instructed to review all policies, contract, projects and programs that had been done in their departments over the past months and submit their reports and recommendations to Aquino.
"Titingnan ng bawat kalihim nang bawat kagawaran titingnana ang bawat kontratang pinasukan ng nakaraang administrasyon, kasama na doon ang lahat ng kontrata, kung may mga midnight deals, ito ay susuriin," he said. (JMR/Sunnex)