‘I quit but I am no cheat’

LIKE NO OTHER. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri salutes the Senate after announcing his resignation on Wednesday, the first by a Philippine senator. “I don’t want to go to a mall where people will see me and say I cheated,” he says. JOAN BONDOC

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday earned praise for his resignation from the Senate, but a member of an election watchdog who blew the whistle on the alleged fraud in the 2007 senatorial polls said his action was “an indirect admission that he had a questionable mandate.”

Abdullah Dalidig, who chaired the Lanao del Sur chapter of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections, said Zubiri’s resignation “should propel further [inquiry into] the role of the then ruling party in acquiring his victory.”

“If we believe him say that he does not have anything to do with the fraud, then the ruling party was at it,” Dalidig said in Ozamiz City. “Remember, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was gung ho for a 12-0 sweep in order to control the Senate.”

Zubiri, who ran in Arroyo’s ticket in the 2007 elections, said his decision to quit was triggered heavily by the reappearance of former Election Supervisor Lintang Bedol.

But he said that he had never cheated and would run again in the 2013 senatorial race “to seek a fresh mandate.”

“Without admitting any fault and with my vehement denial of the alleged electoral fraud hurled against me, I am submitting my resignation as a duly elected senator of the Republic of the Philippines in the election of which I am falsely accused without mercy and compassion,” Zubiri said in a privilege speech at the Senate.

“As I now pronounce my joining the civil society, it is my humble prayer that this institution [will] allow me to resign with honor and dignity,” he said.

‘Pleasant surprise’

Zubiri stepped down four years into his six-year term, with the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) yet to resolve the election protest filed by his rival for the post, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. (See What Went Before on this channel.)

Zubiri said that against his lawyers’ wishes, he had decided to withdraw the counterprotest he had filed against Pimentel at the SET.

Asked to comment, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Zubiri’s resignation was “a pleasant surprise” that could hasten the resolution of Pimentel’s electoral protest.

“Personally, I have yet to be convinced of the true motive/s behind this surprising development. It’s in fact a pleasant surprise for the cause of truth and electoral justice,” De Lima, who stood as Pimentel’s lawyer in his electoral protest, said in a text message.

Zubiri said he made up his mind to quit after Bedol surfaced more than two weeks ago and claimed knowledge of supposed election manipulation in Maguindanao in 2007. Bedol’s revelation appeared to support a similar account by suspended Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“It’s a heavy accusation if made by two high officials of a province, like Mr. Ampatuan and Mr. Bedol,” Zubiri later told reporters in Filipino.

He added: “That means they know what happened, and I told myself that I don’t want the people to doubt my victory.

“I don’t want it said that someone manipulated the 2007 elections for my victory. I don’t want that said by the people because our name is very important to my family.”

But when asked if he regretted running in Arroyo’s ticket in 2007, Zubiri said: “Not really.”

17-page speech

Zubiri arrived at the Senate session hall with his wife, Audrey.

He was greeted by his parents, Bukidnon former vice gov. Joe and Vicky Zubiri, and siblings, as well as his former colleagues at the House of Representatives who filled a portion of the gallery.

In a 17-page speech delivered in English and Filipino, he maintained his innocence over allegations of election cheating, saying that “baseless accusations compelled me to leave.”

He said he was stepping down in an effort to preserve the family honor.

“I did not cheat or ask anyone to cheat for me and my family. We would never tolerate any form of electoral fraud,” Zubiri said.

He said he was swearing to his statements “before God and man.”

He went on to list his accomplishments in his four years in office, a term that saw him as the youngest Senate majority leader during the Arroyo administration.

Zubiri lamented that “a number of highly suspect personalities suddenly cropped up” while the SET was recounting the ballots cast in the 2007 elections.

“Armed merely with their vocal chords and without any supporting documents to prove their allegations, these alleged witnesses are now shouting out loud, as if with full orchestration, that my election was marred with irregularities,” he said.

“My political detractors began calling me ugly names and dragging the name of my family [into the controversy]. In other words, … the trial by publicity had begun.”

Family agony

Zubiri said the controversy had taken its toll, particularly on his family.

“I could feel how my wife has had sleepless nights, my father, my mother, who has undergone two major brain operations, and is now constantly suffering physically and emotionally, together with my siblings who have been hurt and affected by such unfounded and baseless accusations,” Zubiri said.

“No amount of power, position or wealth is worth sacrificing one’s honor and integrity,” he said, adding that “in the end, one’s legacy is not measured by his position or his wealth but his unblemished dignity and integrity.”

Zubiri later told reporters that he had wanted to step down a day after President Aquino delivered his State of the Nation Address but that many of his fellow senators had urged him to reconsider.

He said he made up his mind after long and emotional conversations with his family and political allies. “[The decision] is quite liberating,” he said.

‘Kangkungan’

In an interview on 990 AM dzIQ Radyo Inquirer Wednesday afternoon, Zubiri said it was his father’s words that led him to the final decision.

“My father influenced me to get into politics, and it hurt him to see me being accused of irregularities,” Zubiri said, adding:

“He also told me this: ‘The Lord is giving you the chance to do what is right, and if you choose the right path, the Lord will give you a reward. If you choose the wrong path, baka sa kangkungan ang hantungan mo (you might end up in the swamp cabbage patch).”

Zubiri said he made up his mind after that talk.

“There is more to life than politics,” he said. “My resignation is irrevocable. I don’t want to go to the mall where people will see me and say I cheated.”

Profuse praise

The resignation, the first by a Philippine senator other than those who left to accept other posts, brought the chamber to a dilemma of sorts. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he would study the matter.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal cited the legal provision that a resignation would take effect only “upon acceptance.” He said it was not clear who would accept Zubiri’s resignation.

Enrile was all praise for Zubiri: “I’m sad that we’re going to lose you but I’m sure that what you did today in this chamber, … will be remembered. And your detractors will be chastised and you will come back here again …

“We cannot stop you … because it’s a matter of honor. And as head of this chamber, … I will study your resignation and make a decision in due time. I will consult the members of the chamber about it. We are not going to do this rashly.

“Today we are witnessing the happening of a historical event. This is the first time within the reach of my memory, in my 87 years on this planet, … that a member of this chamber chose honor ahead of himself. Bayan muna bago sarili (Country first before self). That is the meaning of what you did.”

Lifetime ahead of him

Lawmakers from the administration and opposition tipped their hats off to Zubiri.

“So we still have this kind of person?” mused Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing.

“I know [Zubiri] and I admire him for his courage and idealism. It’s really a revelation of how sensitive he is as a person and a public official. It’s very unfortunate but I wish him well. He still has a lifetime ahead of him. What he did will not be forgotten,” Bagatsing said.

San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito said he admired Zubiri’s valor and delicadeza for yielding to public opinion.

Ejercito said it was difficult for Zubiri to give up his Senate seat, having fought for it for so long.

“More important here is that Zubiri resigned because he knew he could no longer serve the people the same way, with the public giving him a trial by publicity [and pronouncing] him guilty of massive cheating in Maguindanao even if there had been no trial of the case,” Ejercito said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares said he was in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao province, with then election lawyers Sixto Brillantes and De Lima, now Commission on Elections chair and justice secretary, respectively, when the alleged electoral fraud happened in 2007.

“[Zubiri’s] resignation must be commended because it will help put in the Senate the real senator actually voted by the people in 2007,” Colmenares said.

More testimonials

Zubiri’s fellow senators saw “courage and honor” in his decision to quit.

“I admire him for this courageous and difficult decision,” said Sen. Francis Escudero. “It must be a tough time for him and his family, and I wish them well as they go through it.”

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Teofisto Guingona III agreed that Zubiri’s action was “the honorable thing to do.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said he had discouraged Zubiri from quitting but was respecting the latter’s decision.

“You have to fight it out if you really did nothing,” Estrada recalled telling Zubiri.

Audrey Zubiri stood by her man.

“I am very proud of my husband for what he did,” she told reporters in English and Filipino. “He proved that he is a real man, a man who is not afraid to do what is right no matter how difficult.” With reports from Marlon Ramos and Cynthia D. Balana in Manila; Ryan D. Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao; and Radyo Inquirer