Villar to head Senate Economic Affairs committee

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
July 26, 2010, 3:01pm

Re-elected Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Monday disclosed that some Senate committee chairmanships have already been filled up, but a few senators have yet to resolve who will head certain committees.

Enrile identified at least 10 out of the 37 committees that already have appointed heads.

Liberal Party senator Franklin Drilon will head the Senate Committee on Finance, previously chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara.

Angara retained the Committee on Science and Technology and is now the head of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III  will head the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, while Sen. Gregorio Honasan will chair the Committee on National Defense and Security.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago remains head of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Nacionalista Party Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. an erstwhile contender for the Senate Presidency, will head the committee on Economic Affairs.

Likewise, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Liberal Party’s candidate for the Senate leadership, will head the Committee on Agriculture.

Pangilinan will also temporarily head the powerful Blue Ribbon Committee, which is tasked to investigate public accountability among government officials.

Enrile said that Pangilinan had requested to head the Blue Ribbon Committee for the time being until a “suitable” replacement has been found.

It is still unconfirmed whether Sen. Loren Legarda will head the Committee on Energy.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III, being elected as Senate Majority Leader, automatically handles the Senate Committee on Rules.