Defense of Bato inquiry cost Senate presidency, says 'dumbfounded' Migz

His defense of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa's inquiry into the alleged leaked of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency papers cost him his Senate Presidency, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Tuesday.
Zubiri made the remark when asked for comment after he found out the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs also voted for his ouster.
Zubiri said he was "dumbfounded."
"I thought I've seen strange things in my political career, and this happens to be the strangest. Kung kahapon ako po ay heartbroken, ngayon po ako ay dumbfounded. Talagang hindi ko ma-gets, hindi ko talaga maisip, hindi ko ma-grasp ang pangyayaring 'yon," Zubiri said.
(If yesterday I was heartbroken, today I was dumbfounded. I still can't get it, I can't comprehend what is happening.)
"At least alam niya na dinepensahan ko siya bilang isang chairman ng committee at dahil dyan, nagkaroon po ng sakripisyo, ako po ang sakripisyo d'yan, nawala po ako sa posisyon," he added.
(At least he knows that I defended him as a chairman of the committee and because of that some sacrifice had to be made and I got booted out.)
Need a wellness break? Sign up for The Boost!
Stay up-to-date with the latest health and wellness reads.
Please enter a valid email address
Your email is safe with us
GMA News Online sought Dela Rosa's comment and will publish it as soon as it is available.
In a news conference, Dela Rosa said he was the last senator to sign the resolution and was only convinced to back Senator Francis Escudero's bid for the presidency when the latter had already secured the support of the majority of the senators.
He admitted feeling some guilt because of the "PDEA leaks" hearing is being pointed out as one of the reasons behind the leadership change.
However, Dela Rosa said he was told by Escudero, now the new Senate President, that it was not a factor.
"Tinanong ko ito kay Senator Chiz kung talaga bang iyan ang dahilan bakit kinudeta si Senator Migz... Sabi niya, 'No, wala iyan sa rason dito'," he shared.
(I asked Senator Chiz if that was one of the reasons why they pushed to replace Senator Migz, he said it was not.)
Dela Rosa on Monday was seen weeping as Zubiri delivered his resignation speech. He was also seen crying in front of Zubiri's wife Audrey.
Zubiri in his speech also thanked Dela Rosa, a fellow Mindanaoan, whom he believed to have "stuck it out" with him to the very end.
"I salute you, sir," Zubiri said on Monday, apparently not knowing at that time that Dela Rosa had sided with those that sought his ouster.
Before the start of the Senate session on Tuesday, Dela Rosa approached Zubiri on the floor.
"Nakausap ko siya sinabi ko sa kaniya bigyan niya ko ng pagkakataon. Hindi ko pa talaga mabigyan ng kumento, hindi ko pa ma-process. Give me time. Niyakap mo pa yung asawa ko," Zubiri said.
(We talked and I told him to give me time. I still couldn't comment. I still couldn't process. Give me time. You even hugged my wife.)
Zubiri had indicated that the Senate investigation into the supposed leaked PDEA documents might have contributed to his ouster.
The said investigation into the PDEA documents, which linked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drugs, was sought and led by Dela Rosa as chairman of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
Zubiri only mentioned in his speech at the plenary hall that he "failed to follow instructions from the powers that be."
This, he said, is "probably why I face my demise today."
Dela Rosa on Monday was seen holding his tears back as Zubiri said he appreciated the former PNP chief's loyalty in his speech.
According to Senator Joel Villanueva, Zubiri's majority leader, they only heard that Dela Rosa had signed the resolution through Senator Bong Go on Monday evening.
"[We learned about it] when Senator Bong Go’s talking about it. So he was, you know, friendly talks inside the lounge. Paalis na kami and then he said tatlo silang nag-sign. So parang nagulat kami na parang hindi ah, hindi nag-sign eh," Villanueva said.
Villanueva said they exerted effort to confirm if Dela Rosa indeed signed the resolution, but he noted that "it would not matter anyway."
Like Zubiri, who said he was "in shock" because what had happened was "very surreal," Villanueva said he was also surprised by the fact that Dela Rosa signed the resolution.
"I think that’s the greatest surprise of all probably in the history of leadership change. But it is what it is. We respect everyone’s judgement, opinions, decisions. It’s kind of weird of course but it is what it is," Villanueva said.
"I think betrayal is an underrated word...Sa mundo ng pulitika, mahirap talagang hanapin ang tunay na kaibigan na talagang open sa iyo," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Need a wellness break? Sign up for The Boost!
Stay up-to-date with the latest health and wellness reads.
Please enter a valid email address
Your email is safe with us