New senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III takes his seat during the 17th Congress at the Senate. Marianne Bermudez/INQUIRER
Two senators allied with the Senate majority bloc vehemently denied on Friday any ouster plot against Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, one saying he would not support such a move.
“There is no plan (to oust) Sen. Pimentel. As a fellow Mindanaoan I will not support such a move,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a text message.
“I’d like to put that on record that we have never discussed any plan for the change of leadership,” Zubiri added.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also denied being part of any ouster plot against Pimentel.
“No truth to that. That’s just a product of his imagination,” Ejercito said.
“Masyadong sanay sa conspiracy theories si Sen. Trillanes (Senator Trillanes is just a fan of conspiracy theories),” the senator added.
The two senators were reacting to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s reported statement that some members of the majority bloc led by Senator Alan Cayetano were allegedly plotting to oust Pimentel.
Trillanes reportedly mentioned the names of Zubiri, Ejercito and Sen. Richard Gordon as among those who were showing a “pattern of behavior” meant to discredit Pimentel’s leadership.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he also had no idea about any plot against Pimentel as he vowed to continue to support him. CDG/IDL/rga
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