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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zubiri on Senate leadership: 'No need for loyalty check'

Zubiri on Senate leadership: 'No need for loyalty check'

Published Jun 29, 2023 09:08 am
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Thursday, June 29 said there is no need to conduct a loyalty check to ascertain who among his colleagues in the Senate are still supportive of his leadership. 
     Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (Senate PRIB photo)

Zubiri, who arrived back in the Philippines on Wednesday, June 28 after a three-week working visit in the United States, pointed this out after talks of an impending leadership changes in the Senate surfaced last week.  “I have no feelings about it. Yung pagka-Senate President naman one foot in, one foot out naman yan. Ayoko naman sabihin that I was not unfazed but kung ano naman ang gusto nila handa naman ako (Once you are a Senate president, you got one foot in, one foot out. I don’t want to say that I wasn’t unfazed but whatever they want, I’m prepared to accept it),” Zubiri during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.  “Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa (But I am thankful for the) statement of support of my colleagues. But anything can happen,” he said. Asked if he sees a need to conduct a loyalty check, Zubiri said “No.” “If they want to (replace me), then so be it. I’m willing to be an ordinary senator,” he added. For him, being the Senate leader is just “a state of mind.” “Expectations mo, babaan mo. Para sa ganun, alam mo. Nakatikim na ako ng resignation, almost 12 years ago. Natalo na ako sa eleksyon. So sa akin, bonus na lang ito na binigay sa akin ng Panginoon (One has to lower their expectations, so you would know when to stop. I have experienced filing my resignation almost 12 years ago. I have already lost in an election. So for me, being a Senate leader is just a God-given bonus),” he said.

As far as he is also concerned, Zubiri said he will maintain the style of being a “consultative leader.” 

“Iba-iba po ang istilo ng mga SP. I have a different style of leadership. I always seek the opinions of our members,” he said.

“I will suspend the session and remind our colleagues on proper decorum. Yan ang istilo ko. Di ako namamahiya ng kapwa senador dahil senador pa din yan at halal ng taumbayan iyan (That’s my style. I don’t want to embarrass a fellow senator because he is still a senator and he is elected by the people,” Zubiri further said when asked on the alleged lack of decorum and noisy atmosphere during plenary session and committee hearings.

Zubiri also said he has talked to former Senate presidents Franklin Drilon and Vicente Sotto III saying he acknowledged their reminders for him.

Nevertheless, Zubiri vowed to be more assertive next time. 

“I do remind (about proper decorum). I always say that but this time I will,be more assertive,” he promised. 







Related Tags

Senate President Senate leadership Senator Migz Zubiri
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