Chiz Escudero refuses to comment on alleged ouster plot

“Any attempt is called a rumor until it happens.”

This is what Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday said when asked about the alleged ouster plot against his leadership.

“Media asked a member of the Senate about this rumor going around without quoting anyone…They interviewed SP Pro-Tempore Estrada and he denied it. Now the quote coming out to support this rumor is an interview of Senator Jinggoy who denied it. I throw the question back at you, why should I comment on a rumor that the basis of which is a denial of the person you asked about a rumor?” said Escudero. 

“It's difficult to comment on every rumor that comes out. If you give me a name or a source that I can comment on then I would answer but I've learned, having been in politics for 24 years, not to comment on any rumor because if it's proven not to be true and correct, you would be the one left holding the ball,” he added. 

On Monday, several senators including Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada denied the alleged coup plot. He likewise belied speculations he would 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.)

Meanwhile, Escudero said the current Senate leadership “sit at the pleasure of the majority”. 

“I serve at their pleasure. It is not a concern, it is a fact of life…It’s a rumor until it happens,” he added

It can be recalled Escudero replaced Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri as the head of the Upper Chamber in May. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News