THE Liberal Party (LP) is optimistic that their bet for the Speakership post, Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte (Fourth district, Quezon City), is sure of gaining the post a week before the opening of the 15th Congress.
LP spokesperson and Representative Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada III (Fourth district, Quezon) said the LP is "confident" that Belmonte will be the incoming speaker of the lower chamber of Congress.
Belmonte, with over 200 congressmen pledging support for his candidacy, is expected to be pitted against Lakas-Kampi bet Representative Edcel Lagman (First district, Albay).
In a text message to Sun.Star, the Quezon City congressman said he is also "pretty confident" to get the position.
Lagman admitted that some of their party's members have jumped ship to the majority party.
“Meron naman sa amin sa opposition ang lumipat sa LP at susuportahan si SB (Sonny Belmonte),” he told Sun.Star.
Senate Presidency
At the upper chamber, the senators seem to be divided of whom to vote for Senate President between Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Senator Manny Villar.
In his official twitter account, Pangilinan said: "One would think by virtue of size that it would be simpler to convince 23 senators than it would 45 million voters. Reality is more complex."
It appears that he is not yet assured of the position.
The LP earlier said that Pangilinan already has the support of nine senators including Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Franklin Drilon, Serge Osmena, Francis Escudero, TG Guingona, Ralph Recto, Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada.
A senator would likely needs a total of 13 votes to win the post.
Meanwhile, other senators including Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand ``Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. are rooting for Villar.
Senator Edgardo Angara's bloc composing of Senators Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente ``Tito'' Sotto III and Gregorio Honasan are mum on their choice although Angara said that the group's vote will determine the winner. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)