Senator Villar and I sat down and discussed the matter of the Senate presidency. After reviewing all our options, we thought it is best that we set aside our personal aspirations and work together to vigorously pursue the legislative agenda to address the looming financial crisis that we face.

We believe that our personal aspirations should be subordinated to the greater national interest. Our egos are nothing compared to what we face as a country if we can’t put our acts together. It is on this premise that we have agreed, after a very friendly discussion, that Senator Villar will support my presidency in the Senate for the first and second regular sessions of the 13th Congress, and that, I, in return will support Senator Villar’s Senate presidency for the third regular session of the 13th Congress beginning July 2006.

by Senate President Franklin Drilon*

We didn't want to add more to the country's problems. There's the problem in Iraq, there's the looming fiscal crisis, and there's a lot of bickering ... It's a great deal if we think of the nation first in the face of these problems.

by Sen. Manuel Villar*

The proposal for a term-sharing agreement was raised before the elections.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan*
Liberal Party Vice-President and Senate majority leader

Term-sharing has been the direction of the negotiations from the start. The only question then was who would serve for two years, and who would preside in the remaining year.

Juan FlavierFlavier*
Senate pro tempore