Senate President Migz Zubiri on Thursday debunked reports that he is on his way out apparently due to his “poor performance.”
He branded as “a figment of someone’s boredom and in their between lucid intervals” a report about him being replaced as Senate President.
Zubiri said there were no talk of leadership changes as well as any warnings from anyone on the supposed “low output” of the Senate.
First of all, he said the Senate carefully studies each measure and senators debate on this thoroughly to improve every draft legislation. “With due respect, we are not a rubber stamp institution. So this talk is nothing but tabloid gossip rubbish,” he stressed.
Commenting on the “delay” in the passage of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), Zubiri said this was due to the lack of support from the main sponsor herself who is the chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
He was apparently referring to Sen. Imee Marcos who has repeatedly opposed RCEP, claiming it will prejudice farmers and the country’s agricultural sector.
“So I took it upon myself to take over and sponsor the measure on the floor,” Zubiri said.
“That has never been done before where the Senate President himself will be subject to sponsorship and interpellation, after which we approved and ratified it in three days with the highest-ever vote count for a treaty at 20 affirmative votes and only one against with one abstention,” Zubiri said.
At the end of the day, Zubiri said he serves at the pleasure of his colleagues.
“And if there are 13 votes to elect a new Senate President then I will gladly step down,” he assured. “As far as I’m concerned, my style of consensus-building leadership where we involve all members of the senate on discussing issues and bills are what I feel is ideal for this institution,” he said.
“My stand on Senate’s independence as an institution will never wane and my treatment of our employees in the Senate will and always will be my priority till the end of my term,” he added.
Sen. JV Ejercito said majority of the Senators “are satisfied and are happy with the leadership of Senate President Migz Zubiri.” He said Zubiri has been supportive of the administration’s priority measures and that Zubiri has been personally talking to every senator to pass the Palace-backed measures.
Sen. Win Gatchalian said the report on Zubiri is on his way out is “absolutely untrue,” adding that Zubiri “enjoys the full trust and support of the majority.”
Gatchalian said the Senate leader has successfully steered the approval of the 2023 budget at record speed, successfully defended the RCEP even though the proposal faced stiff opposition among members and most importantly, push for the approval of the country’s first learning recovery program especially in light of the pandemic.
“I am 100% sure that the fake news is connected to the talks about constitutional amendments wherein the Senate as body will play a key role to its success,” he said.
Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay also back Zubiri’s leadership, adding the report is “not true.”