The scramble is on for the majority leadership of the Senate and it looks like term-sharing is not an option.
“It still has to be discussed because I have members of the bloc who don’t want the term sharing,” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said in an interview with reporters on Monday.
He referred to their group as the “majority of the majority,” but refused to reveal their numbers.
“I don’t want to say anything that will burn bridges that will put a wedge in our friendship. Even the numbers, it’s difficult to say… the sniping and poaching are so grave, the calling in the midnight hour,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri added however that would sit down with Sen. Cynthia Villar, a strong contender for the same position, and “we will see what is best.”
He said a lot of things would happen in the next few days.
Zubiri also disclosed that in a talk with President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, the incoming Chief Executive wanted to shape up the legislative agenda and instructed him and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, who is being eyed as the next House Speaker, to sit down.
“He (Marcos) asked for my help and who I am to say No,” Zubiri said, adding he was committed to help the Marcos administration whether or not he will be the Senate President.
He noted that Marcos wanted to hit the “ground running”- to immediately work… he doesn’t think of vacationing, but working at once. What is important is- we are ready to help the new President, the new administration. We don’t want failures.
“Remember, the success of the presidency is the success of everyone,” he emphasized.
Zubiri also said he talked to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on the majority leadership issue.
“I told him, partner, at the end of the day we should be together.
Definitely, people like Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Francis Tolentino will still have to be in the supermajority. That’s what I have been doing…” Zubiri said, adding that the three committed to join him in the supermajority along with come-backing Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. He said he would talk to Sen. Imee Marcos anytime this week.
On committee chairmanships, he disclosed that Sen. Sonny Angara will retain the finance committee “as he has been fair, forthright, and transparent.” He said the Senate Pro Tempore should be a senior member, possibly referring to Sen. Loren Legarda.
The Blue Ribbon Committee, Zubiri said, would eventually go to a lawyer.
“There are five or six lawyers left… it is best suited for a lawyer. There are certain committees that should be handled by a lawyer, like the Committee on Justice,” Zubiri said.
According to him, his personal choice for Majority Leader is Sen. Joel Villanueva.