Aquino believes a one-on-one debate would be a good idea since a candidate can explain his/her platforms without limitations. The challenge clearly addresses to his primary rival Sen. Manuel Villar. The two candidates currently hold the no. 1 and 2 spots on the initial survey with a very slim margin that separates each of them.

Meanwhile, Villar finally accepted Aquino’s challenge and said that public debates are an opportunity “to present plans and programs of government to the general public.”

“If such were the purpose of the challenge, I will gladly accede. Name the place, name the time, I will be there. If however, it is the intention of anyone -individual or party – to find a platform for senseless argumentation and mudslinging with the hope of calling attention unto oneself, then I will have to decline,” he added.

Other presidential bets shows interest in the one-on-one debate challenge are former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Senators Richard Gordon and Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas, JC de los Reyes and Eddie Villanueva.

“My dear colleagues in this august chamber, the tenure of the Senate President – as everyone knows – depends on the number of members that supports him or her. I was informed this afternoon I no longer have the support of majority of my colleagues,” Villar said in his opening statement after declaring the start of the session.

“I therefore tender my resignation and congratulate the new senate President, Honorable Juan Ponce Enrile,” Villar said.

“You have my support in seeing to it this chamber continue to maintain its unquestionable independence and solid reputation,” Villar told Enrile.

Villar, who earlier declared his intention to run as president in 2010, thanked those who supported his two-year term as Senate president, counting the time he took over from Sen. Franklin Drilon during the 13th Congress.

He said he can “serve fully and sincerely” even if he is not Senate president.

He said that after he is “released from the burdens of being Senate President,” he will devote his time as fiscalizer, adding that he will have “more time to be with the people in the countryside and with my family.”

Villar then suspended the session.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson leads the nomination in favor of Enrile to be Senate president after Senate president pro tempre Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada reopened the session. The nomination was seconded by Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan.

Out of the 23 senators, 14 voted for Enrile while six abstained.

Those who voted for Enrile were Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Those who abstained were Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent.

Sens Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV (detained) did not vote.

Enrile was declared Senate President after Honasan administered the oath of office.