Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said on Wednesday, May 29, that he will be on vacation mode for the next three weeks with his family, taking a break from the "nasty backstabbing" in politics.
"Magbabakasyon muna ako kasama ng aking pamilya (I will be taking a vacation with my family). I think they deserve my undivided attention at this point in time, at no cost to the government po. It's all personal yung aking pagbiyahe kasama ng aking pamilya (My travel with my family is a personal affair)," Zubiri told reporters in an interview.
"Konting me time, konting emotional and mental break from all the politics and the nasty backstabbing na nangyayari dito sa pulitika natin sa Pilipinas (A little bit of me time, and mental break from all the politics and the nasty backstabbing happening in Philippine politics)," he added.
Last Wednesday, May 22,mthe Senate adjourned sine die, formally closing the second regular session of the 19th Congress.
It's been more than a week since Zubiri stepped down as Senate President, as Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero took over the helm of the Upper Chamber’s leadership.
In the aftermath of his ouster, he admitted that he was heartbroken not because of losing the position but due to the so-called support expressed to him.
Zubiri also mentioned how he was "dumbfounded" after finding out that Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa supported the move to unseat him as the Senate President.
Upon his resignation as Senate President, Zubiri was of the idea that Dela Rosa did not sign the resolution to unseat him, even lauding the senator for his loyalty.
Asked on how he's doing after all that happened, he replied: "Okay naman. I'm very happy. Medyo mas relaxed. Siyempre, malaking dagok ang natanggal sa aking likod. (I'm okay. I'm very happy. A little bit relaxed. Of course, a huge load was taken off my back.) We're just looking forward to the next year or so to be able to pass legislation that is good for the people.
After the vacation, Zubiri said he together with the "Solid 7" which includes former Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Sonny Angara, Sherwin Gatchalian, Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, and Sen. Nancy Binay will regroup and make a decision on the direction that they'll be heading to by then.
Meanwhile, President Marcos bared that he knew about the attempt to change the Senate leadership and he was informed "every step of the way" but he did not have a hand on it.
"When did I know? The minute…actually it was Senator Chiz the minute he started thinking about it, he already brought it up and he said I think I am going to try to be the SP (Senate President). 'What’s my situation and what do you think'," Marcos said in a post-visit briefing in Brunei.
However, Zubiri refused to comment on the matter.
"Ah, no comment na lang ako dyan. No comment na lang ako dyan sa kanila. Bahala na sila. Ang taumbayan ang humusga (I have no comment on that. I have no comment when it comes to them. Let the people decide)," Zubiri said.