Actor-senator Bong Revilla and Senator Ralph Recto, husband of actress-Lipa City Governor Vilma Santos, are squabbling over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ways and Means and the Public Services Committee.

Both contend that it was promised to them by the majority bloc. The Public Services Committee tackles franchises, water and toll fees, among others. The Committee of Ways and Means tackles taxes.
 
Revilla felt slighted over not being given the proper respect.
 
“I was chairman of that committee [during the 14th congress]. Besides, the chairmanship [of the committee] was already agreed upon. So it was quite a surprise when he [Recto] approached me and asked me to be a member of the committee,” Revilla related in a TV interview.
 
“Na-ouch lang ako nung lumapit sa akin si Senator Recto. Sabi niya, ‘O pwede ba kayo kunin na member ng committee ng ways and means of public services? Sabi ko, ’Ah, ganoon?’”
 
“Hindi ko naman hinahabol eh. Nagulat lang ako. Sa ‘tin eh, busina lang ba, respeto lang.”
 
But Recto was adamant.
 
“Hindi ko alam na siya [Revilla] ang chairman. So, ano ang ibubusina ko?” said he in a separate interview.
 
“I didn’t know,” he continued. “Hindi ko malalaman naman kung interesado pa siya dun [the committee], ‘di namin napagusapan ni Senator Enrile ‘yun. Ibinigay lang sa akin.”
 
Recto said he understands Revilla and maintains that they are friends.
 
“I am willing to work with any senator, including Bong Revilla. He is the former chairman of the committee and I am sure he knows a lot about this committee. I am sure we can work together,” Recto told reporters.
 
The Senate was supposed to announce on Wednesday the chairmanships of the non-contentious committees.
 
However, the chamber decided to adjourn altogether after the senators belonging to the majority bloc were unable to resolve the chairmanship of the blue ribbon, public services and energy committees following a two-hour caucus.
 
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III eventually told reporters, “We will let the Senate President announce the agreements arrived at on Monday.”