The Senate political realignment

A few minutes after the Blue Ribbon Committee heard the shocking revelations by the Discaya couple linking a number of representatives to the flood-control scam, the group of Tito Sen executed a flawless coup, ousting Chiz Escudero from the Senate presidency. That eighth of September was a historic date in the history of the Senate.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

But with only 15 in the majority and nine in the minority, the Sotto allies don't have enough votes to convict an official in any impeachment. And that's very shaky because the two Villars are deeply committed to the Dutertes and may move over again (knowing opportunistic Villar politics) to the other side. The Tulfos are also unpredictable. If and when the two Villars and the two Tulfos abandon Tito and shift to Escudero then nine plus flour will constitute a new majority of 13. But that's still a possibility.

It's recalled that it was the poised impeachment of vice president Sara D. that catapulted Escuero to the Senate leadership. It was also another Sarah D. who caused his downfall. What made it very dramatic was that it was former Senate president Migz Zubiri, edged out by Chiz in the nineteenth Senate, who moved to declare the Senate presidency vacant. Sweet revenge, if you ask me, although both sides proclaimed they held no grudges. Tell that to the marines.