Zubiri resigns as Senate president: I've given this job my all

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has resigned from his post as Senate president, two days before the end of the second regular session of the 19th Congress.

An emotional and "heartbroken" Zubiri delivered a valedictory speech as he is set to be replaced by Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

After Zubiri's speech, Escudero was nominated as Senate president by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. With no objection, Escudero was officially elected by the 24-person chamber as its new chief.

Zubiri said he will be an independent member of the Senate.

"I have given this job my all...Today, I offer my resignation as Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines, and upon stepping down I vow to serve as an independent member of the Senate—my allegiance, as ever, belonging to no one but the people," Zubiri said in his speech.

"I have never dictated my position to any of you, and I always supported your independence—which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be," he added.

Zubiri put a strong emphasis on the independence of the Senate as an institution under his leadership and being "a fair-minded and truth-driven...despite the political noise that so often surrounds us."

"We have been a staunchly independent Senate. Let me say that again, we have been a staunchly independent Senate holding strong against all threats against our institution, and against threats to the very foundation of democracy on which our nation is built," he said.

"I have put myself on the line to shield the Senate from all attacks, particularly from efforts to diminish the powers of this institution as the country’s last bastion of democracy...God knows what I had to do to defend the Senate," he added.

Zubiri wished the next leadership well and prayed that "they will be steadfast in upholding the independence of our beloved institution."

Senators give up committee chairmanships

Following Zubiri’s resignation, some senators stepped down from their respective posts.

Senator Joel Villanueva resigned as majority leader, saying the “greater cost outweighs my personal interests."

Senators Nancy Binay and Sonny Angara likewise tendered their resignations as chairpersons of their respective Senate committees. 

Binay led the Senate Committees on Accounts, Tourism, and Ethics before her resignation while Angara headed the Senate Committees on Finance, and Youth. He also served as the chairperson of the sub-committee on Constitutional Amendments. 

Also, Senator JV Ejercito resigned as deputy majority leader. 

Meanwhile, senators shared a light moment during the Plenary session after Senator Loren Legarda said she also intends to step down as senate pro-tempore “unless you want to keep me here”. 

She later formalized her resignation. 

Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros, for their part, would maintain the status quo as members of the minority. — RSJ, GMA Intergrated News