Senate leadership change? Legarda: We support Zubiri; why fix what’s not broken?
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. (Senate PRIB photos)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda was effusive in her appreciation of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, dismissing rumors of a leadership change.
“Why would you fix something that is not broken?” Legarda said in an interview on Thursday, June 22.
With a firm voice, the senator said, “There are no talks. There will be no change. We are in full support of Senate President Migz.”
Legarda praised Zubiri, saying he deserves to be called “Trabahador ng Senado (Worker of the Senate).”
“You should see how he works. We even have a Viber thread. He’s so hardworking. Senators can easily approach him. And as I said, I don’t know how you can take all the stress. I’ve not seen him not smiling…He’s very approachable. Amiable, approachable, hardworking, and consensual,” she said partly in Filipino.
READ: Zubiri says Senate won’t be dissolved under his watch: If it means my head, then so be it
She also appreciated Zubiri’s “good working relations” with both the Senate majority and minority blocs.
Asked if Zubiri’s amicable leadership style is a drawback, Legarda said: “We cannot impose our leadership style, but I think it’s effective because he’s amiable, approachable, and at the same time, hardworking.”
Since he assumed the office of Senate President, rumors have been swirling of attempts to oust Zubiri.
In March, Zubiri said allegations of a coup against him were sparked by his unyielding attitude on the proposal for economic Charter change (Cha-cha).
READ: Zubiri says coup rumors vs him due to his Cha-cha stance
Despite pressure from the House of Representatives and his fellow senators, Zubiri firmly said Cha-cha was not a priority legislation.
Zubiri had also dismissed claims of a Senate leadership overhaul purportedly due to the chamber’s low productivity.
READ: ‘Nothing but tabloid gossip, rubbish:’ Zubiri dismisses talks of leadership change
He branded these as “nothing but tabloid gossip rubbish” and “a figment of someone’s boredom and in their between lucid intervals.”
Senators from the majority bloc, including Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, and Grace Poe, had also backed Zubiri amid the lingering coup rumors.
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