Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (File photo from Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada quashed on Monday speculations that he would replace Francis “Chiz” Escudero as Senate president.
But he confirmed there was an attempt to oust the latter about two or three weeks ago.
“There are speculations here in the Senate that I will be the one to replace the Senate president. That is not true and I have no plans,” Estrada told reporered in Filipino in a press conference.
“I was wondering. I am surprised by the talks spreading that the Senate president will be replaced. There is no truth to that..
According to Estrada, he is very comfortable with the leadership of Escudero.
But when he was asked if there were, indeed, attempts to stage a coup d’état against Escudero weeks ago, the Senate president pro tempore answered in the affirmative.
He clarified, however, that it was not him.
“It wasn’t not me. Not me. I heard that there are others,” he said.
Pressed to disclose if there were senators who asked Estrada to support this coup attempt versus Escudero, the Senate’s second top official said no one has asked him so far.
Estrada likewise denied that there was an unrest in the chamber, noting that the majority of senators were in favor of Escudero’s leadership.
In a separate text message to reporters, Escudero said the officials of the Senate, including the Senate president, serve at the pleasure of the majority.
“They can be changed at any time in plenary,” Escudero said.