Former Senator and Bukidnon representative Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy for senator in the 2016 elections, saying that he will run as an independent bet.
Zubiri, who was elected in the May 2007 elections but resigned in 2011 amid fraud allegations, said his good numbers in preference polls inspired him to run again.
“Ako po ay nag-focus sa negosyo at pribadong buhay na wala na sanang bumalik sa pulitika. Subalit simula nang magkaroon ng senatorial surveys, ang atin pong pangalan ay laging napapasama sa top 12,” Zubiri said.
(I focused on running my business and living as a private citizen who has no plans of returning to politics. But recent senatorial surveys have shown my name consistently included in the top 12.)
“Ako po ay nagagalak at nagpapasalamat sa mga nagsusuporta pa rin sa akin. Nagbigay po ito sa akin ng encouragement at inspirasyon na magsilbi ulit sa ating mga kakabayan,” he added.
(I am elated and grateful to those who continue to support me. This encourages and inspires me to serve the people again.)
Zubiri said he will run independently so as not to be tied with any group, party, or individual.
“Sa pagkakataon pong ito, ang inyong likod ay piniling tumakbo bilang independente, at ang aking partido ay ang pamilyang Pilipino,” the former senator said.
(This time, I am choosing to run independently, and my party will be the Filipino family.)
“Naniniwala po akong mas magiging tapat at epektibo kong magagampanan ang aking tungkulin kung tayo ay papalaring makabalik sa Senado bilang independente dahil tayo ay hindi matatali sa anumang grupo, partido o indibidwal,” Zubiri added.
(I believe that I will more truthfully and effectively do my duties in my return to the Senate if I run independently because I will not be tied to any group, party or individual.)
But Zubiri said the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero has adopted him as guest candidate in next year’s polls because they “believe in the same issues.”
“Nagbunga na ang ating mga nagawa… Hindi tayo nasangkot sa PDAF scam at anumang korupsyon. Idagdag n’yo na po ang delicadezang ating ipinakita bilang senador,” he said.
(My work bore fruits. I was not involved in the PDAF scam and any corruption scandal. Add to that the delicadeza I showed when I was senator.)
READ: Senate lets go of Zubiri | Redemption or rejection for Zubiri, all out to try again
Zubiri stepped down from his post in 2011, after it was established that he benefitted from the alleged rigging of votes in 2007, which cost the election of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.
Zubiri ran but lost in the 2013 senatorial elections. IDL
Former senator Migz Zubiri eyes a return to the Senate, this time as an independent candidate. TINA SANTOS/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
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