No changes in commitment for Zubiri as Senate president—Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday, June 5 said he is confident that Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri is already sure to be the next Senate President when the 19th Congress opens in July 25.
As far as he is concerned, Gatchalian said Zubiri already has secured majority of the votes of their colleagues after Sen. Cynthia Villar has given up her bid for the Senate presidency.
“Sa tingin ko wala nang pagbabago dito. Sa bilang ng ginawa namin, mukhang supermajority ang makukuha ni Sen. Zubiri (I think there would be no changes. The last time we counted, it seems Sen. Zubiri is poised to get the support of the supermajority),” Gatchalian said in an interview on Radio DZBB.
“Ito ay pormal na mangyayari sa pagbukas ng Senado sa July...magkakaroon ng botohan at pagkatapos ng botohan, eto na ang pormal na mangyayari (This will be formalized when the Senate opens in July... there would be a voting and after the voting, Zubiri would be formally be elected the Senate president),” he stressed.
Aside from Villar, Gatchalian and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero were also reportedly gunning for the Senate leadership.
But Gatchalian said he has decided to support Zubiri and has already secured chairmanship of the Senate ways and means and education committees.
Though he has no idea if Escudero is still interested in the Senate leadership, Gatchalian said Zubiri already has sufficient numbers to back his bid.
“Napag-sangayunan na, ito na mga nagbigay ng commitment. Sa tingin ko wala nang magbabago dito (It has already been agreed upon and many have given their commitment. I think there would be no changes in the plan),” he said.
“Pero hindi pa kami nag uusap ni Chiz (Escudero) after nitong pangyayayring ito. So di ko alam anong nasa isip nila ngayon (But we haven’t talked to Chiz after all the developments that have happened. So I don’t know what he is thinking right now),” the lawmaker stressed.