Incoming Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri today took his oath of office as a member of the 24-member Senate in the 19th Congress after the historic oath taking of President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ R. Marcos Jr. on June 30.
Zubiri said he took his oath before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo in front of the picture of the Philippine national hero, Dr, Jose Rizal (“Rizal, the Reformist,” of Martino Abellana), at the Philippine National Museum.
‘’Bilang isang lingkod-bayan, gabay ko po palagi si Dr. Jose Rizal, para sa kanyang tapang, talino, at pagmamahal sa bayan (As a public servant, I am guided by Dr, Jose Rizal for his bravery, intelligence and love of country),’’he explained.
‘’Maraming salamat po kay Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo for officiating my oath taking! (Many thanks to Chief Justice Gesmundo),’’ Zubiri said in his Viber account.
‘’My thanks also to my friends and fellow senators, SP (Senate President Vicente) Sotto (III), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator JV Ejercito, Senator (Ronald) Dela Rosa, Senator (Juan Edgardo M.) Angara, and Senator (Raffy) Tulfo for witnessing my oath. And of course, to my wife Audrey, for her constant love and support,’’ he added.