Why Pacquiao was chosen to move for ouster of LP senators, according to Cynthia Villar

Senator Manny Pacquiao wanted to deliver the knockout blows to the Liberal Party senators' hold on a key leadership post and some committee chairmanships, a Nacionalista Party senator said on Tuesday.

Asked why it was Pacquiao who made the motion to remove the LP senators from their posts, Senator Cynthia Villar said in jest, “Gusto niya eh."

"Sino lalaban sa kanya? Baka masuntok pa tayo,” Villar said.

Pacquiao on Tuesday confirmed meeting at least 15 of his colleagues at his Makati residence to discuss the ouster of LP senators from their key posts.

"Di ko ma-ano ‘yung bilang. Siguro nasa 15 or 16 [senators], di ko sigurado kung ano; 15 or 16, I’m not sure," Pacquiao said told reporters.

Asked whether the removal of LP senators from committee chairmanships was decided in the meeting, Pacquiao said, “Yes.”

Pacquiao, however, denied that President Rodrigo Duterte knew about the meeting.

"Hindi niya alam. Wala silang kinalaman dito. Naisip namin siyempre we always believe that we're independent [in] the Senate," Pacquiao said.

Lacson confirmed that the decision to oust LP senators was finalized during a meeting of majority bloc senators at Pacquiao's residence.

“I myself was the one who pushed. We already decided on this, we voted on this, it was unanimous. What’s the reason for postponing the action?” Lacson said.

Pacquiao made the motion to have Senator Franklin Drilon replaced as Senate President Pro Tempore by former Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Monday. 

Senate committee on agriculture chair Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan was replaced by Senator Cythia Villar, Senate committee on education chair Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Senate committee on health chair Risa Hontiveros by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito.

Drilon, Pangilinan, and Aquino are all members of the former ruling party, LP, while Hontiveros is a member of Akbayan Party, a close ally of LP.

Drilon was elected Minority Leader Tuesday, while Pangilinan will take over the chairmanship of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments.

Aquino still has the committee on science and Hontiveros has the committee on women.

The LPs were ousted from key posts a few days after partymate Senator Leila De Lima was arrested on drug charges.

The Liberals rallied around De Lima, calling the charges against her illegal.

The LP is also opposed to the death penalty bill now pending in Congress.  —NB, GMA News