With six weeks to go before the start of the 15th Congress on July 26, the fight for the Senate presidency is still unresolved with  President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III adopting a hands-off attitude in the selection process of the Liberal Party on whom to field for the top Senate post.

This was revealed on Thursday to Senate reporters by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, LP campaign manager in the recent May 10 national and local elections, who is locked in a contest with former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, LP chairman, for the Senate presidency.

The LP is a minority in the 24-member Senate with only four members.

They are Pangilinan and Senators-elect Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III and Ralph Recto.

Pangilinan revealed that Aquino, in a recent talk with some LP officials before his proclamation as the winner in the May 10 presidential election last Wednesday, did not want to be involved as much as possible in the selection of who should be the LP candidate for the Senate presidency.

Since there is a need for a Senate presidential candidate to sew up a 13-vote majority, Pangilinan said it is imperative for the one chosen by the LP to reach out to the nine other non-LP members for their support, considered the third and last layer to be accomplished by the LP bet for the top Senate post. (Mario Casayuran)