Senators on Monday, June 26 affirmed their support to the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, rejecting reports he would be ousted. “There’s no truth to that! Senators are very much satisfied with the leadrship of Senate President Migz Zubiri. In all honesty (his) shoes will be too big to fill, that’s why I don’t think anyone will even attempt to wrest the Senate’s leadership from him,” Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said in a statement. “The performance of the Senate under SP Migz speaks for itself!” Ejercito added. “I dont think this (supposed coup) will happen because Senate President Migz is well liked because he leads in a very professional and consultative manner,” Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara also said. “The same goes for his team of (Senate) Pro Temp Sen. Loren (Legarda) and Majority Leader Sen. Joel (Villanueva) who are very good at their jobs,” added Angara. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he is not aware of any talk regarding changes in the leadership of the 24-member Senate.  “I trust and support the present leadership in the (Upper) Chamber,”he said. “We currently have a working and independent Senate with a very energetic and consultative leadership which has always made sure that every member is treated fairly and given the opportunity to be heard on matters regarding our function as senators of the Republic,” he added. Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian emphasized that there is no such thing as leadership change. Gatchalian said Senate members “are very satisfied with the leadership of SP Zubiri and we have accomplished a lot under his guidance.’’ Sen. Francis Tolentino said he has not heard of such plans, adding that it is an “unnecessary distraction.” Sen. Imee Marcos also denied hearing of a Senate coup: “No. Ang daming trabaho, tigilan na ang intriga! (There are many things to do, stop such intrigues).’’ Sen. Grace Poe said Zubiri s an “effective and consensus-building leader.” “Many priority and crucial measures of this administration were passed by the senate, in a timely manner, without sacrificing the quality of every measure,” she said. “There are no talks to replace Senator Zubiri and we strongly support him. As Senator Legarda said, Why fix something that’s not broken?” Poe pointed out. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the Senate minority bloc is keeping its hands off from matters affecting the majority group. “Also, there will only be a change if someone is interested in the top position and as far as I know there’s no one interested,” Pimentel said.  Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay also denied the rumors: “No, walang ganyan (There’s nothing like that).” Binay said such rumors should not be entertained because it doesn’t help the Senate as an institution. “All I can say is that we are all happy and pleased with the current leadership, and we all attest that SP Migz has the trust and confidence of the members of the Senate,” she stressed. Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, who is rumored to be gunning for the Senate leadership post, denied the allegation. “I don’t know where that (rumor) came from, walang ganun, na magkakaroon ng kudeta sa Senado (that there would be a coup in the Senate),” Estrada said during the Kapihan sa Senado. “The members of the majority are fully supportive of SP Zubiri,” said Estrada, a former Senate President Pro Tempore. Asked if the rumors of him eyeing the Senate leadership is true, Estrada said: “I deny that. There’s no truth to that. Wala rin akong kinakausap (I am not talking to anyone),” he said. “Naging Pro Tempore na ako, ok na yun (I have already been a Pro Tempore. I’m okay with that),” added Estrada. Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla also said he sees no need to replace Zubiri as the Senate chief. “Bagama’t ako ay bago, hindi ko nakitaan si Sen. Migz na may kakulangan siya. Kuntento ako sa kanya (Even though I am a neophyte, I don’t see Sen. Migz to be lacking. I am content with him),” Padilla told Senate reporters in an interview . Zubiri, according to Padilla, is also strict most of the time, and when the need arises. “Hindi naman siya very kind kasi sa lounge mahigpit si Sen. Migz. Diplomatic na tao pero pag kami-kami lang lumalabas ang pagka-maestro, lakan, martial artist, sa plenaryo (He’s not very kind because he is quite strict when we are at the lounge. He’s a diplomatic person but when its just us senators, he becomes quite the teacher, leader, or martial artists in the plenary),” Padilla said. In an interview last Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda denied reports there would be leadership changes in the Senate. Legarda also defended Zubiri against critics after he was told to address the disorderly behavior and lack of decorum of some senators during plenary sessions and committee hearings. “Why would you fix something that’s not broken?” Legarda had pointed out. “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. Asked about the issue, Zubiri expressed readiness to relinquish his post. “I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues,” Zubiri said in a short reply.