Senators give full support to Zubiri: He’s our ‘inspirational leader’

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (File photo from BIBO NUEVA ESPAÑA/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday crushed the alleged ouster plot against Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri .

One of his colleague suspects this idea is a “divide and conquer” strategy from House of Representatives.

“Divide and conquer strategy siguro galing sa House of Representatives dahil sa [people’s initiative],” said Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito in a text message.

(Maybe this is a divide-and-conquer strategy from House of Representatives because of people’s initiative.)

Lawmakers from both chambers of Congress engaged in a word war over the past few weeks.

The barbs were borne out of the signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Senators believe the drive was stirred by their counterparts in House.

Amid perceived threats, Ejercito emphasized the majority of senators have full trust and confidence in Zubiri’s leadership.

“He has stood his ground and has fought for the institution and his principles,” Ejercito noted.

‘Trabaho lang para sa taumbayan,’ he described Zubiri’s work ethic.

Zubiri, who stands at the center of an alleged political coup d’etat, maintains he serves at the pleasure of his colleagues.

“Alam mo naman, there is a concerted effort to discredit Senate. Nalaman ko pa yan last week pa. So, sa amin, trabaho lang kami,” he told reporters in an ambush interview.

(You know, there is a concerted effort to discredit Senate. I was made aware last week. So, among us, we will just work.)

“We will just focus on the job at hand and we’ll not lose sight on the most important things to help the Filipino people. So, yun lamang (That’s all),” he simply said.

Zubiri then jokingly told reporters, “We will know today if I’ll give you a farewell dinner or not.”

Until then, the Senate chief said he will go on fulfilling his mandate.

“It’s important (that) we continue working for the people. Trabaho lang tayo para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan. Wala ng pulitika,” he stated.

(We just work for the well-being of the people. No more politics.)

Where did this come from?

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, on the other hand, sees no leadership change and that senators stand in full support of Zubiri.

When Legarda was asked where the plot against Zubiri may have come from, she threw the question back to reporters.

“In fact, I will ask you: Saan nanggaling ‘yun? Kayo’ng magsabi,” she asked the media.

(Where did this come from? You tell me.)

“But anyway, I’m very focused on our work, and we don’t like to talk about politics or any change at this point in time,” she said.

‘Solid behind Zubiri’

For his part, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he does not know anything about the alleged ouster plot.

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to a single senator about [it],” he told reporters.

In terms of change in leadership in the chamber, Estrada veered away from the topic, saying senators are all behind their leader.

“Right now, I don’t think so. We’re solidly behind [Zubiri],” Estrada said.

‘Timing is off’

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva thinks it is hard to guess where the alleged ouster plot is coming from.

Nevertheless, he said Filipinos are aware of what is happening in the country.

“Mahirap mag speculate eh. Pero alam natin kung anong nangyayari ngayon at saan nanggaling [ang] mga hirit at mga birada araw araw, di ba?” he asked reporters.

(It’s hard to speculate. But we know what’s happening and we know where tirades are coming from every day, right?)

He added the timing on this matter is off.

Villanueva said based on the positions of other senators he has talked with, they absolutely back Zubiri because they see the statesman from Bukidnon as an “inspirational leader.”

“We feel na walang mas deserving at this point in time to lead the Senate, other than our Senate President Zubiri,” he stressed.

(We like there’s no one more deserving at this point in time to lead Senate, other than our Senate President Zubiri.)

Will an ouster plot succeed?

Meanwhile, in a separate text message to reporters, Senator Sonny Angara presumes these rumors are manufactured outside of Senate.

“Kung meron man, I don’t think it will succeed. Tingin ko, ‘yung nang-i-intriga, galing labas ng Senado,” said Angara.

(If there’s one, I don’t think it will succeed. I believe, those who are spreading the intrigue are coming from outside Senate.)