Administration senators bag 13 major committees

Pro-administration senators were elected yesterday chairmen of 13 out of 36 major Senate committees.

Sen. Joker Arroyo retained the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, while Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. was elected to the committee on agriculture.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan got the committee on rules, and Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier received the committee on education.

Other committee chairmen: Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., finance; Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, foreign relations; Sen. Lito Lapid, games and amusement; Sen. Pia Cayetano, health; Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, national defense; Sen. Richard Gordon, tourism; Sen. Manuel Roxas II, trade and industry; Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., public works; and Sen. Ralph Recto, ways and means. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and other minority senators did not take part in the voting.

The other minority senators are Luisa Ejercito, Alfredo Lim, Jinggoy Estrada, Edgardo Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile, Panfilo Lacson, Sergio Osmeña III, and Jamby Madrigal.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the majority will hold another caucus on Monday to finalize two other committees being asked by the opposition.

Drilon refused to name these two committees. "There are specific proposals, which we are discussing," he said.

"I am not in the position to reveal it at this point. But as I said, I think we are halfway through the problem. There is some progress. We are confident that by next week, we should be able to settle it."

Drilon said the opposition had earlier requested for eight committees. — Jose Rodel Clapano