Senate of the Philippines (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – Senators on Monday threw their support behind the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri as rumors of an ouster plot swirled anew.
It was the second time that coup talks circulated, following the first one in March reportedly due to Zubiri’s stance that Charter change (Cha-cha) is not a Senate priority.
At the time, Zubiri said he would step down if majority of his colleagues want him to.
This time, it is reportedly because of the approval of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill.
In separate statements, senators said they have no plans to unseat Zubiri.
Senator Sonny Angara said it is unlikely to happen because the Senate President is well-liked.
“The same goes for his team of Pro Temp Sen. Loren (Legarda) and Majority Leader Sen. Joel (Villanueva) who are very good at their jobs,” Angara said.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, rumored to be eyeing Zubiri’s post, also denied the alleged coup.
“I deny that. There’s no truth to that. Wala rin akong kinakausap (I am not talking to anyone),” Estrada said during the “Kapihan sa Senado” forum. “I don’t know where that (rumor) came from, walang ganun, na magkakaroon ng kudeta sa Senado (nothing like that, that there would be a coup in the Senate).”
The members of the majority are fully supportive of Zubiri, stressed Senator JV Ejercito.
“There’s no truth to that! Senators are very much satisfied with the leadership 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,” Ejercito said.
Senator Nancy 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 said.
Senator Robinhood Padilla sees no need to replace Zubiri.
“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 on Thursday, Legarda already denied any leadership change.
“Sen. Migz, he’s very amiable, always smiling, even if he is very, very tired. And I think his slogan of being the hard worker of the Senate suits him. You should see how he works,” she added. (Leonel Abasola/PNA)
