Marcos says he had ‘nothing to do’ with change of Senate leadership

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a press conference in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on May 29, 2024. (Photo by Nestor Corrales)

Updated on May 29, 2024 at 1:21 p.m.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the change of leadership in the Senate  but admitted that he was aware that Senator Zubiri would be ousted as Senate president.

“The decision to change the leadership was not made by me. That was made by the Senate,” the President said at a press conference here.

“I did not speak to any parties at any point simply because I am out of town,” he said, referring to the day Sen. Francis Escudero replaced Juan Miguel Zubiri.

But Marcos said he was aware that there were efforts to replace Zubiri in favor of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, adding that “I was basically informed every step of the way.”

According to him, Escudero spoke to him about his plan to be the Senate president.

“Actually, it was Senator Chiz, the minute he started thinking about it, he already brought it up and he said I think I am going to try to be the SP,” the President said.

“Of course we knew the state of the voting when that was still being collected. We already have the numbers that will come out. So that was the extent I was informed about it,” he added.

He said the change of leadership “moved so quickly as well.”

Zubiri earlier said his refusal to “follow instructions”from the powers that be “ruffled some feathers” and cost him the Senate presidency.

Asked about this, Marcos said “I guess if you are Senate President the only power that be is the President.”

“So, I am not sure what he is referring to, if there is a specific instance or just as a general principle. I don’t know, I have not spoken to him about it,” he said.

“So, it’s hard for me to answer simply because I am not sure what he’s referring to because what instructions could that be that he did not finish. Yes, that’s still unclear to me what he’s referring to,” he added.

Despite the change in Senate leadership, Marcos said he still trusts Zubiri.