Senators deny coup plot vs Chiz Escudero

Several senators on Monday dismissed speculations that Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero will be replaced as head of the chamber, four months since he assumed the top Senate post.

For one, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada denied that he will be the one to replace Escudero, stressing that he is “comfortable” with the current Senate leadership.

“May haka-haka dito sa Senado na ako raw ‘yung papalit na Senate President. Hindi po totoo ‘yan at wala po akong balak,” Estrada told reporters.

(There are speculations here in the Senate that I will be the next Senate President. That is not true and I have no intention of being so.)

“Nagtataka ako, nagugulat ako doon sa mga kumakalat na mga usap-usapan na papalitan na raw ang ating Senate President. Wala pong katotohanan ‘yan,” he added.

(I’ve been thinking and surprised by the circulating rumors that our Senate President is about to be replaced. There is no truth to that.)

Estrada, however, affirmed that he heard talks of coup attempts against Escudero weeks ago, but denied that it came from him.

“Hindi ako. Hindi ako. Narinig ko merong iba [It’s not me. I heard it from others],” he said, adding that no senator has approached him to push for an ouster or to sign anything regarding the matter.

He also said there is no current unrest among senators and that he believes that “majority” of them are still supportive of the present Senate President’s leadership.

In a quick ambush interview with Senate reporters, Escudero simply denied the rumors. “Wala naman [there are none],” he said.

It could be recalled that Escudero admitted to initiating the move to replace Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri as the head of the chamber in May this year.

Back then, Estrada also denied that he instigated the ouster of Zubiri.

With Escudero now at the helm of the Senate, the Senate president pro tempore said he believes that the former will still serve as one when the Congress goes on recess next week and even after that.

“Yes. As far as I know, of course. Wala naman... I don't know kung merong, kung nagkaron ng [I don’t know if there were any] movement, pero [but] as far as we know, wala [there’s none],” Estrada said.

He also explained that it will not be healthy for the Senate if there will be another change in leadership because it will delay their legislative agenda.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa also said he is not aware of any coup attempts against Escudero.

“Wala. Tanungin mo sila sinong source niyan,” he said.

(I don’t know anything about that. You should ask the source of that information.)

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III also said there are “no attempt as far as I know.”

Senator Loren Legarda also echoed this.

“No idea, we are focused on our work. Thank you,” she told reporters.

Senator Cynthia Villar, on the other hand, said she is not involved with the possible coup plot. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News