Word just arrived that Senator Manuel Villar just resigned from Senate presidency in the face of an insurmountable majority vote against him. With him went the Wednesday Club members Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, and Sen. Francis Pangilinan as Majority Floor Leader.

What essentially happened was a revolt of the presidentiables teaming up with erstwhile administration senators. The latter were also instrumental in placing Villar in this position before.

On one hand, presidentiables got nervous at Villar’s front-running this early in the presidential derby, particularly because of his rumored deep war chest and extensive provincial network. They fear that the Senate presidency will be used in “aid of Villar’s candidacy.”

On the other hand, both the opposition and administration senators fear that he will use his position (and that of Cayetano’s Blue Ribbon Committee) to further his campaign at their expense in the Senate hearings.

Of course, there is the opportunity for the GMA administration to pursue the Charter change agenda under Enrile’s watch. However, he is too much of a wild card at this time of an increasingly lameduck GMA presidency. It is more correct to say that anything may happen. What is more discernible is that the ruling coalition will try to make a play to stay on top of the increasingly unstable situation.

We must watch out for the agreements that underpin the majority’s support for an Enrile Senate presidency. There is more than meets the eye on this one.