Estrada denies plot vs Escudero but confirms foiled ouster try

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is not about to suffer the same fate as his predecessor, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who stepped down as Senate president a few days before Congress went on a legislative break in May, according to the chamber’s second in command, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Estrada on Monday assured Escudero of his full support for the latter’s four-month-old leadership as the former rejected rumors that he and several other senators were behind a supposed plot to install a new set of Senate leaders.

“Any speculation coming out that I will replace [Escudero] is not true,” Estrada told a press briefing.

He reiterated that he has no plans of relinquishing his current position as Senate president pro tempore and taking over the chamber’s top post.

Estrada, however, admitted that some of his colleagues, whom he did not name, had indeed tried to unseat Escudero a few weeks ago, but the supposed attempt fizzled out.

Wagging tongues

Escudero took over from Zubiri as Senate President in May after he convinced 15 of his colleagues to sign a statement calling for a change in leadership.

As in Zubiri’s case before his ouster, there have been talks about a looming leadership coup in the Senate just days before the upper chamber is scheduled for recess starting Sept. 27.

“I’m comfortable with the Senate President. [He] is doing a good job,” Estrada said.

“I’m puzzled and surprised about these talks that the Senate President would be replaced. There’s no truth to that,” he added.

Besides, Estrada pointed out, most of his colleagues were “very supportive” of their current leader.

According to him, he could not think of any reason why Escudero would be eased out.

When asked if the 15 senators who had voted to dislodge Zubiri were still solidly behind Escudero, the Senate president pro tempore said: “That’s what I know.”

Members of the Senate media tried to get Escudero’s reaction before he led the opening of their regular plenary session on Monday.

“I already answered that,” a smiling Escudero briefly told reporters without elaborating.

In vacating his post on May 20, Zubiri claimed that his refusal to “follow instructions” in defending the 24-member chamber’s independence had “ruffled some feathers” and cost him the third highest government office.

“I fought the good fight. If I have ruffled some feathers in doing so if I have upset the powers that be, then so be it,” Zubiri said in his valedictory speech.