Zubiri says ready to step down if senators want him replaced

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said he has no illusions that he is irreplaceable even as he rejected the idea of conducting a loyalty check among his colleagues amid rumors of a leadership coup in the Upper Chamber.

“I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, we all do. A leadership position is at the pleasure of the majority. You are always ready to go in or go out. This [Senate Presidency] is just a bonus from God,” he said in a press forum on Thursday.

“If they don’t want me anymore, then they can take me out. If they are happy with me, they can keep me as long as they need me. But I am very honored to serve my colleagues,” he added.

Zubiri said he does not know where the rumors of a coup threat against him are coming from.

Earlier this week, at least six senators denied rumors of a leadership change in their chamber during the opening of the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress on July 24.

Rumors said Zubiri will be replaced by Senator Jinggoy Estrada or Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.

But both Legarda and Estrada denied the rumors, calling them mere gossip.

Estrada on Monday said there was no such thing as a coup against Zubiri, who he said was backed by the “supermajority” in the Senate.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito also denied the rumor, saying the senators are very satisfied with Zubiri’s leadership.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the finance committee, also denied any move to oust Zubiri, who he said was “well-liked.”

Senator Robinhood Padilla said nothing is lacking in the leadership of Zubiri. In fact, he sees him as strict with his fellow senators, especially if there are laws that need to be discussed and passed.

Senator Nancy Binay said intrigues such as these should not be entertained because they won’t help the Senate.

“All I can say is that we are all happy and pleased with the current leadership, and we all attest that SP Migz has the trust and confidence of the members of the Senate,” Binay said. — Macon Ramos-Araneta

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