Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri Senate PRIB file photo / Joseph Vidal
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said on Thursday that coup rumors against him are due to his stance on Charter change (Cha-cha).
“Actually, may source din ako na nagsabi na dahil sa position ko nga on Charter change. Ginagamit nila ‘yung mabagal daw na output ng Senado for a unicameral parliament. May mga ganoong usapin,” Zubiri told reporters in an ambush interview on the sidelines of the E-Congress launch.
(Actually, I have a source who said that the coup rumor was because of my position on Charter change. They are using what they say is a slow output of the Senate for a unicameral parliament. There are such talks.)
“In the Senate, it is a time-bound and honored tradition na (that) we take our time to pass the measures,” he added.
Zubiri said he would not mind the rumor as black propaganda is “part of the game.” Instead, he will focus on performing his duties as a senator.
He further noted that he is willing to vacate his post should most of his colleagues wish so.
“Ako naman ‘pag may 13 signatures, I’m willing to step down any time. ‘Yan ay prerogative ng ating peers. We serve at the pleasure of our peers. Ang akin diyan is we are doing our best and we have been passing a lot of legislation,” the Senate President said.
(If there are 13 signatures, I will step down at any time. That is the prerogative of our peers. We serve at the pleasure of our peers. My take is that we are doing our best and have been passing a lot of legislation.)
To recall, Zubiri’s stance on Cha-cha is that it is not a priority of the upper chamber as it is likewise not a priority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Several senators have likewise said that Cha-cha is not timely.
Satisfied with leadership
Meanwhile, Senators Robin Padilla and Francis Tolentino said that they are satisfied with the leadership of Zubiri.
Padilla, an advocate of Cha-cha, said he was not behind the coup.
“Pangit na balita ‘yan kasi ako’y satisfied naman kay Senator Migz. Katunayan ay wala naman akong alam na nagrereklamo. Napakagaling na leader ni Senator Migz. Napakapangit na ugong ‘yun. Na-timing pa ngayon. Wala akong kinalaman diyan,” Padilla said in a press conference on the sidelines of the Charter change deliberations.
(That is terrible news because I’m satisfied with Senator Migz. I do not know anyone complaining. Senator Migz is a great leader. The rumor was currently timed when we were talking about Cha-cha. I do not know anything about that.)
“Hindi ako ganu’n trumabaho. Artista pa lang ako hindi ako marunong bumanat nang pailalim. Hindi ako traydor. Sasabihin ko kung hindi kita gusto. Sasabihin ko nang harapan ‘yun. Hindi po ako ganu’n at sino ba naman ako para magtanggal ng Senate President? My goodness gracious!” he added.
(I do not work like that. Even as an actor, I did not know how to fight behind one’s back. I’m not a traitor. I will tell the person upfront. I’m not like that, and who am I to remove the Senate President? My goodness gracious!)
Tolentino, meanwhile, dismissed the issue as gossip.
“Marites siguro ‘yun. Wala akong narinig… Wala namang ganu’ng usapan. Wala akong naririnig as far as I’m concerned,” he said in an interview at the Senate.
(That is gossip. I did not hear anything. There are no such talks. I have not heard of anything as far as I’m concerned.)
“Okay naman. Wala akong naririnig na rumblings. Sa akin wala ring maririnig,” he further said when asked if he is satisfied with Zubiri’s leadership.
(He is okay. I have not heard of rumblings. You will not hear anything from me.)
Other senators came to Zubiri’s defense, denying discussions about toppling the Senate President.