‘Strong’ backing fires up Zubiri to stay as Senate President

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA,  Philippines — Citing the “strong show of support” of his colleagues, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri  said he is “emboldened to press on as Senate President.”

Zubiri’s leadership recently faced a serious challenge as Senator Imee Marcos confirmed an attempted coup plot against him.

To counter this move, 14 senators have signed a statement reiterating their “resolute and unqualified support” for Zubiri’s leadership.

Zubiri said he was “deeply humbled” by his colleagues’ continued trust in his leadership.

“I always say that I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, and with their strong show of support, I am emboldened to press on as Senate President,” the Senate chief said in a statement on Tuesday.

He then thanked those who signed the statement of support and those “who have signified intent to sign it too.”

“Ang suporta nilang lahat ay marka ng isang matatag na Senado, hindi natitinag ng anumang ingay, at palaging nagkakaisa sa aming paglilingkod sa bayan,”  Zubiri added.

(Their collective support is a mark of a strong Senate, unshaken by any noise, and always united in our service to the nation.”

Those who have so far signed the statement of support are: Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Mark Villar, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Christopher “Bong” Go.

Zubiri himself also signed the statement.

Ten of 24 senators, however, did not sign the statement and they are: Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Cynthia Villar.

The two others are from the minority bloc: Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros.

Ejercito though said more senators are expected to sign the statement.

“Out of the country ang iba, dami absent. Madadagdagan pa yan,” he said in a message to reporters.

(Some are out of the country, many are absent. That will increase.)

Sen. Marcos earlier claimed that there was “a lot of pressure to change” the leadership of the Senate.

“It’s all coming from outside the Senate, not within the Senate. So strange,” Marcos told reporters also on Monday.

Notably, this alleged attempt to change the Senate leadership came at a time when the chamber has been warring with the  House of Representatives over Charter change proposals.