Newly-installed Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday, May 21, admitted that he was the one who initiated the move to replace Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
Earlier, Zubiri said he got wind of moves to replace him Wednesday of last week. In an interview before the Senate plenary session, Escudero said it was only last Thursday, that he asked and made the decision.
“Thursday lang ako nangampanya at nagpasya (it was only last Thursday that I campaigned and made a decision),” Escudero told reporters.
But when asked if he personally pushed for a change in Senate leadership, Escudero replied in the affirmative.
“When I say sinimulan kong makipagusap, dahil marami naman ng at that time na may mga agam-agam (when I said I started discussing about it, it was because there were many at that time who already have doubts),” the new Senate chief said.
However, Escudero declined to reveal the sentiments of other senators.
When also asked if he had any conversation with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos or President Marcos, Escudero said he did on Wednesday, last week, during the birthday of a congressman which was an open public gathering.
But he said there were no talks of leadership change, as both the Senate and the House observe parliamentary courtesy.
On Monday, May 20, Escudero replaced Zubiri as Senate president after securing the support of 14 of his colleagues. They were Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Christopher “Bong” Go, Manuel ”Lito” Lapid, Imee Marcos, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar and Mark Villar.
Those who stuck with Zubiri were Senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito. Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, both members of the Senate minority bloc, opted to remain in the minority.