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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators debunk rumored plot to oust Zubiri

Senators debunk rumored plot to oust Zubiri

Published Feb 19, 2024 08:15 am

Senators on Monday, February 19 disproved rumors of a current plot to replace Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, and that it will be a challenge for one to succeed.

In an interview, Zubiri said that he is extremely honored to serve at the pleasure of his colleagues.

He mentioned, however, that there is a concerted effort to discredit the Senate.

"Nalaman ko pa yan last week pa. So sa amin, trabaho lang kami. We will just focus on the job at hand and we'll not lose sight on the most important things to help the Filipino people," he said.

He added that he's been constantly speaking with the other senators and they told him that they have no knowledge regarding the rumored plot to oust him as Senate President.

"We'll know today if I'll give you a farewell dinner or not, right? But if not, then let's continue working. It's important we continue working for the people. Trabaho lang tayo para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan. Wala nang pulitika (Let's just work for the sake of the citizens. No more politics)," Zubiri said.

It was Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito who said this might be a divide-and-conquer strategy from the House of Representatives (HOR) in relation still to the push for the People's Initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

He mentioned that a leadership change at this point would be difficult since his colleagues are satisfied with Zubiri's leadership.

Separate statements from other senators expressed support to Zubiri's leadership and denied receipt or knowledge of a resolution seeking to replace him.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda stressed that to her knowledge, there is no leadership change and that they fully support Zubiri's leadership.

"I'm very focused on our work and we don't like to talk about politics or any change at this point in time," she said.

Asked to react if this was from the House: "I just want to work with our colleagues in the House of Representatives, our colleagues in the Senate. There's so much to do."

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva affirmed the majority's solid support for Zubiri stating that there is no one more deserving at this point to lead the Senate.

Villanueva mentioned that it's hard to speculate where the supposed move came from.

"Pero alam natin kung anong nangyayari ngayon at saan nanggagaling yung mga hirit at mga birada araw-araw, di ba? (But we know what's happening right now and where the attacks are coming from everyday, right?)" he said.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said that he knows nothing about a resolution regarding this and that he has no knowledge of where it came from. He added that he has no idea about the information that he is poised to replace Zubiri.

Sen. Sonny Angara said that he does not know of any moves related to this and that he was not approached.

"Kung meron (If there's any) I don't think it will succeed. Tingin ko nang-iintriga galing labas ng Senado (I think it's just gossip from outside the Senate)," he added.

Sen. Grace Poe said that there's "no truth to it. No move to replace him."

Related Tags

Senate of the Phiippines Senator Loren Legarda Senator Grace Poe Senate President Juan Miguel F.  Zubiri House of Representatives Senator JV Ejercito Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva Senator Sonny Angara
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