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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Legarda denies looming Senate leadership changes: 'If it ain't broke, why fix it?' ​

Legarda denies looming Senate leadership changes: 'If it ain't broke, why fix it?' ​

Published Jun 23, 2023 03:54 am
  Why fix something that’s not broken?    Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda made the remark as she assured there would be no looming changes in the Senate leadership as senators are supportive of Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.  Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda during the Senate's necrological services for former Sen. Rodolfo "Pong" Biazon. (Senate PRIB Photo)    Legarda pointed this out as she reaffirmed her support to the current Senate leadership, in an interview with Senate reporters on Thursday, June 22.    “Why would you fix something that’s not broken? Ano ‘yung saying (what’s that saying), why fix something if it ain’t broke?” Legarda said.   “Sen. Migz, he’s very amiable, always smiling, even if he is very, very tired. And I think his slogan of being the hardworker of the Senate suits him. You should see how he works,” she added.   Aside from being hardworking, she said Zubiri is also very approachable.    “I even told him, I don’t know how you can take all the stress. I haven’t seen him not smiling…he’s very amiable, approachable, hardworking and consensual, meaning he would really ask our opinion, like ‘Tita, what do  you think?’ He has good working relations with the majority and the minority (bloc) as well,” Legarda also emphasized.   “We (also) give value to the (Senate) minority leader. It’s not easy, even if it’s just the two of them,” she said, referring to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.    “You see me crossover and talk to the minority as well. Because sometimes we have shared advocacies,” she also pointed out.  

Dynamic, proactive Senate

   Legarda also boasted of the performance of the Senate in its first year under the present leadership.    “You see a dynamic, proactive energetic Senate (now). We come from various fields, different sectors, of course, different political parties. We were adjusting to each other,” she explained.   “Me, I wasn’t adjusting because it (Senate) is my seecond home. But I think we’ve been productive even with diverse backgrounds. And the most important piece of legislation is the (national) budget, and we passed that way ahead of time,” Legarda stressed.   As the second highest official in the Senate, Legarda said she is happy to have the cooperation of her colleagues.    “I’m so happy that they created a new standing committee on culture and the arts. Before that was merged with the (committee on) education,” she added.  

He is trained, experienced

   Former Senate President Franklin Drilon had earlier asked Zubiri to address issues regarding the lack of decorum of some senators and to bring back the “prestige and order” in the Upper Chamber.   Drilon brought to Zubiri’s attention also the disorderly behavior of some senators during plenary sessions and committee hearings.   Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III had also expressed belief that Zubiri’s jovial and amiable attitude have made it difficult for him to discipline his colleagues.   Asked if she shares this observation, Legarda rejected this saying she believes Zubiri is well-equipped to lead the Senate having been a Majority Leader for so many years.    “Kanya-kanyang style ‘yan (Each to their style), we cannot impose our style, our leadership style (to others). But I think (his leadership style) is efffective because he is amiable, approachable and, at the same time, hardworking,” Legarda emphasized.   “And dahil na train na siya eh. Ang tagal niyang Majority Leader (And it’s because he had already been trained. He spent many years being the Majority Leader),” she pointed out.    

Related Tags

Senate leadership Senate of the Philippines Senator Loren Legarda Senate President Juan Miguel F.  Zubiri
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