A day before the opening of the 15th Congress, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan announced he is withdrawing from the Senate presidency, giving Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile the best chance at being reelected as head of the Upper Chamber.

As of press time Sunday afternoon, the battle for the Senate leadership had been narrowed down between veteran Senator Enrile and Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party as the latter has yet to make a specific announcement on his plans.

In a race where committee chairmanships are at stake, it now remains a question who would comprise the Senate majority and minority.

Chairmanships of major committees were usually dangled to ensure support of colleagues.

Pangilinan, who was the Liberal Party (LP) party bet for the Senate presidency, said he withdrew from the race to keep the Chamber from being “fragmented and disunited.”

“I realized today that there are political realities and developments that prevent us from securing the needed 13 votes resulting in a deadlock or stalemate. The inability of a majority in the Senate to unite behind one leader does not speak well of the Senate and the individual senators,” Pangilinan said in a text message.

Pangilinan admitted he cannot muster enough support from his colleagues and that it was a difficult experience “for him and his family.” Senate rules stipulate that a candidate for the Senate leadership needs at least 13 votes of the members of the chamber in order to gain the post.

There are no clear indications who would be the majority but evidently LP senators Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Ralph Recto and Pangilinan himself are supporting Enrile to ensure being part of the majority.

Senators Sergio Osmeña III, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan have expressed support to Enrile.

Senators who are supporting Villar’s bid include Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Joker Arroyo, siblings Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano and Alan Peter Cayetano and newcomer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

But sources have earlier disclosed that Villar is also supporting Enrile for the Senate presidency.

BELMONTE EYES SURE WIN IN HOUSE

Meanwhile, Despite being widely splintered into five political blocs, a huge majority of House of Representatives members is nonetheless united in their choice of Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., a key ally of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, as the speaker of the 15th Congress which formally opens on Monday.

The head of the Liberal Party contingent that doubled in number following an aggressive off-session recruitment campaign, Belmonte is expected to get the support of the 80-man coalition formed by six minority parties; the Leftist party list groups composed of ten solons; and some 50 Lakas-Kampi-CMD renegades who have claimed to have also forged an alliance with party list groups. The Liberals have claimed a membership of 95 congressmen.