Two re-elected Filipino opposition lawmakers Saturday expressed disappointment over the failure by the opposition to elect a new majority leader in the Senate.

Filipino opposition senators failed to elect a leader in the Upper House when they met Friday due to absence of at least three senators in the meeting.

Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson said only eight opposition senators expressed willingness to stay together. He criticized some opposition lawmakers for putting personal interests before principle.

The Philippines elected 12 senators, or half of the Senate, in the May mid-term elections held in May. The opposition won eight seats out of the 12.

Opposition Senator Loren Legarda, who won most of the votes in the election, said it was embarrassing that the opposition could not get its act together now despite their overwhelming victory in the last election.

The opposition members were hoping to increase their number to 15 in the Senate by including the independent senators, both incumbent and reelected.

Three opposition senators failed to appear at the meeting while incumbent Senate President Manny Villar, who also ran with the opposition, refused to take part in.

Source: Xinhua