Senate will stay independent after May polls, says Villar

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Senate President Manuel Villar assured the people yesterday that the Senate will remain independent when the 14th Congress convenes in July with a new batch of 12 senators.

"The Senate will remain the same, as composed of individuals with independent views, whether from the administration or the opposition. And this will make the Senate independent in the next Congress," said Villar, who is running for re-election.

He said the re-elected senators and the newly elected Senate members will work together whether they are with the Genuine Opposition, the administration’s Team Unity or the independent bloc. Villar said the Senate will work for better legislation and not focus on conducting inquiries. The Senate received high ratings from recent surveys with the respondents expressing satisfaction with the performance of the senators.

"For me the message of the people is clear that the Senate remain independent. The Senate should fight for the rights of the Filipinos but the Senate should be productive to show that the institution is not a hindrance to the people’s welfare and the economy," he said.

Villar canceled his scheduled visits at the Bukidnon State College in Malaybalay and the Mindanao Polytechnic State College here, where he was invited as speaker in the schools’ graduation rites.

He sent his wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, to represent him in the two school events.

The Senate president had to attend to a more pressing engagement yesterday in Quezon City, his staff said.

He said the Senate will remain undivided by issues as he vowed that the senators will refuse to be drawn by President Arroyo.

Villar, a member of the Wednesday Club of senators that includes Team Unity candidates Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo and independent Sen. Francis Pangilinan, said the new Senate will not be divided between pro-Estrada and pro-Arroyo factions.

"The alignment in the Senate is more along on who are members of certain groups," Villar said. He expects the Senate Wednesday Club to expand its membership with the entry of new senators.

He said the Senate’s independence under his leadership would remain in case he is re-elected Senate president in July.

Once the Congress opens in July, the Senate presidency will be open to other aspirants.

He said that being number one in the May 14 senatorial elections does not mean that the winner will also get the top Senate post.