SENATE President Chiz Escudero secured 15 majority votes from the circulated resolution for leadership change according to the new Majority Floor Leader Senator Francis Tolentino.
Among those who signed are the PDL-Laban Senators including Sen. Bong Go and Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, who were praised by Zubiri yesterday for their support.
Tolentino denies that the Senate will be a rubber stamp of Malacañang, despite reports that the Palace plays a role in the senate leadership.
‘’Maybe not, maybe not. It has to be proven, but maybe the Senate is not a rubber stamp, you saw that the Senate President said yesterday that he will halt the roadshow hearings on economic provisions. Is it a sign of a rubber stamp?” Sen. Tolentino said.
SP Escudero refuses to engage with Zubiri’s remarks regarding the change in Senate leadership.
‘’As I’ve said, I will continue to encourage my colleagues in the Senate to remain patient, calm regarding these matters, and other various issues,” SP Chiz Escudero said.
He mentioned that each senator has their own reasons for the leadership change.
Escudero said that under his leadership the senate shall not interfere with the House affairs and vice versa.
The Senate and House shall also avoid making personal tirades.
‘’Senate and House are equal, should not interfere while I defend Senate rights and privileges. We shouldn’t meddle with the House, or any discourse within the Senate. Let’s maintain the right level of discourse, avoiding personal attacks,” SP Escudero said.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa explained why he signed the resolution for the change in Senate Leadership.
“The weight really lies among us three, fellow PDP senators, Senator Bong Go, Tolentino, and myself. It’s just a covenant that majority wins. In every voting situation, if the outcome is two vs. one, the one is obliged to follow the two, to go along with the two. In this case, deciding to support Sen. Escudero, I, being the one, didn’t want to have an agreement where I’m obligated to follow,” Senator Bato Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa clarified that even before Escudero’s group approached him, they already had enough votes, which was around 14.
Dela Rosa also mentioned that like Zubiri, he too was heartbroken about it.
He even apologized to Zubiri.
‘’Being a soldier, i want to convey that My Commander, I am sorry, i lost the war for you,’’ Dela Rosa added.
“I felt ashamed the lost the battle for him,” he said.
He said he feels guilty about the circulating news that the Senate hearing on the PDEA Leaks is the reason for Zubiri’s removal as Senate President.
Meanwhile, Estrada stated that Escudero was the first to call him about his desire to become the Senate President.”
‘’I received a call from Sen. Escudero, three days ago. he wants to talk to me personally. so… i agreed to talk to himhe admitted to me that he wants the senate presidency of course i several questions and agreed,’’ Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said.
Escudero admitted that he took the initiative to replace Zubiri.
The senators who supported Escudero were Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Bong Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, and Mark Villar.
While six senators remained loyal to Zubiri, namely Senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, and JV Ejercito.
