More senators dismiss alleged leadership change in Senate

More senators on Monday dismissed coup rumors against Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri as they expressed satisfaction in the performance of the chamber’s top leader.

At the Kapihan sa Senado, Senator Jinggoy Estrada refuted rumors that there was a plot to oust Zubiri and he was the one who will allegedly replace him.

“I don’t know where that came from pati nga ako nadadamay d’yan. Walang ganon na usapan na magkakaroon ng coup d'etat dito sa Senado. The supermajority, the members of the majority, are fully supportive of Senator Migz Zubiri,” Estrada said.

“May mga chismis. May mga nagma-marites sa akin… na ako raw papalit, walang katotohanan ‘yon. Pati ako nagugulat naman sa mga ganong klaseng chismis. I’m not thinking of it. Hindi ko iniisip ‘yon kasi suportado namin si SP…Walang kumakausap sa akin at wala rin akong kinakausap,” he added.

Asked if the Senate is 100 percent stable, the lawmaker said: “Yes, of course. Definitely.”

For Estrada, the performance of Zubiri as Senate chief is reflected on the high rating that the chamber got from the public.

The senators are also not dismayed by Zubiri's performance, he  added.

“The Senate has a high rating right now especially the Senate President Migz at nadadamay din ang Senado sa pagtaas ng rating namin,” he said.

In a separate interview with reporters, Senator Robin Padilla said he doesn’t see the need to change the current Senate leadership.

“Wala. Bagama’t ako ay bago lang na senador, di ko naman nakitaan si Senator Migz Zubiri na may kakulangan siya. Wala akong nakikitang dapat baguhin ang leadership. Siguro ang mga beterano meron silang nakita pero ako kuntento sa kanila,” he said.

“Wala pa naman akong naririnig o lumalapit sa akin o kumakausap sa akin na mga ganyang klaseng magiging ganap,” he added.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito likewise dismissed the rumors, saying his colleagues are “very much satisfied” with Zubiri’s leadership.

“No truth to that! In all honesty, SP Migz, shoes will be too big to fill, that’s why I don’t think anyone will even attempt to wrest the Senate’s leadership from him. The performance of the Senate under SP Migz speaks for itself!” he said.

Senator Sonny Angara, one of the senior members of the chamber, was all praises for Zubiri's leadership.

“I don't think this will happen because SP Migz is well liked because he leads in a very professional and consultative manner. The same goes for his team of Pro [Tempore] Senator Loren and Majority Leader Senator Joel who are very good at their jobs,” he said.

Senator Imee Marcos and Senator Nancy Binay said these intrigues should be dismissed immediately.

“No, walang ganyan. Dapat di na natin ini-entertain ang ganyang mga intriga since di naman yan nakakatulong sa Senado,” Binay said.

“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,” she added.

Marcos said “No. Ang daming trabaho, tigilan na ang intriga!”

Asked to react to these intrigues, Zubiri said he “serve[s] at the pleasure of [his] colleagues.”

Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda has expressed confidence that there will be no leadership change in the chamber.

Legarda expressed contentment with the leadership style of Senate Zubiri, calling him "amiable, approachable, hardworking, and consensual."

Legarda’s statement was backed by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva while Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III refused to comment on the issue.—LDF, GMA Integrated News