Zubiri hopes Senate President Escudero to uphold chamber‘s ideals

Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri bids goodbye to people at the Senate, Pasay City after being replaced by Sen. Francis Escudero. —Inquirer photo/Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he’s hoping that newly-installed Senate chief Francis “Chiz” Escudero will uphold the ideals of the chamber.

Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Zubiri said he is happy to have followed the chamber’s rules also observed by former senators.

“I am happy to oblige. All the other members of the Senate that have passed before us, the likes of Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Frank Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile kung saan talagang stickler for rules of the Senate,” Zubiri told reporters.

Prior to the press conference, Zubiri said he lost his post probably “for not following instructions.”

He did not provide further details, despite being asked if the chamber’s probe into the alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency documents supposedly linking President Bongbong Marcos to “drug use,”  had something to do with his removal as Senate’s top leader.

READ: Chiz Escudero is new Senate president; Miguel Zubiri out

“I did my duty as Senate President which is always to keep the committee system strong and independent from any outside forces who dictate what should or should not be tackled in the committee system,” said Zubiri.

Meanwhile, he congratulated Escudero, who according to him, is qualified for the post.

“I pray and hope that our dear Senate President Francis Escudero will uphold these ideals of the Senate that we fought for — for many generations,” said Zubiri.

Escudero took his oath as the new Senate President on Monday minutes after Zubiri stepped down from his post.