(UPDATE) SEN. Juan Miguel Zubiri said that his failure to follow instructions from "powerful" blocs led to his ouster as Senate president as Sen. Francis Escudero replaced him on May 20, triggering a major reorganization in the upper chamber.
Zubiri, who had led the Senate since July 2022, confirmed the coup staged against him in a chance interview minutes before the start of the Senate session.
"I did my best," he told reporters.
"I have never dictated my position [on] any of you, and I always supported your independence — which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be," Zubiri said in his valedictory.
"I have listened to all my colleagues throughout my Senate presidency, and again, I listen to them today as we head into a new period for the Senate. I fought the good fight. If I have ruffled some feathers in doing so, if I have upset the 'powers that be,' then so be it," he said.
"Today, I offer my resignation as Senate president, and upon stepping down, I vow to serve as an independent member of the Senate — my allegiance, as ever, belonging to no one but the people," Zubiri said.
In a press briefing later, Zubiri was asked whether Malacañang had a hand in his removal. "I don't want anymore to rain on the parade of Senator Escudero. I did my job. I did it well. We have no scandals," he said.
Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Senator Francis Escudero takes his oath as Senate President after Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stepped down on Monday, May 20, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
But he said a lot of people had told him to stop the Senate hearing on the "leaked" PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) documents allegedly linking then-senator and now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Marcelo Soriano to drug use.
Zubiri admitted that he was "heartbroken" because some senators apparently betrayed him.
"Some texted me, 'We are with you, we are 100 percent with you,' but in less than a day, it was gone. It is really difficult to become a politician," he said.
Escudero lauded Zubiri for his achievements in leading the Senate and thanked him for his patience, diligence, and his love for the country and the Senate as an institution. "My hats off to you, Senate President Zubiri."
"I salute you, and I hope I will make you proud. You especially among all our other colleagues, and hopefully, you will not leave my side whenever I ask for guidance, whenever I ask for help, and whenever I ask for your wisdom," he said.
Escudero said that under his leadership, there would be "no division," as he would look at each senator as a member of one Senate. Sen. Mark Villar, the youngest senator, administered Escudero's oath as the new Senate president.
Zubiri's "team," namely Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, and Sens. Juan Edgardo Angara and Nancy Binay resigned as heads of their respective committees.
"Thank you for your service to the nation. Thank you for a job well done," Legarda told Zubiri after he stepped down.
In a press briefing following his resignation, Zubiri said seven senators remained with him. They were Legarda, Villanueva, Angara, Binay, Ejercito, and Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Sherwin Gatchalian.
The two-person Senate minority bloc — Sens. Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros — did not participate in the ouster movement.
The rest installed Escudero as the next Senate chief. They were Sens. Jinggoy Estrada, Grace Poe, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Tolentino, Imee Marcos, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Robinhood Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Mark Villar and Cynthia Villar.
Angara resigned as chairman of the committees on finance, youth, and Subcommittee on Resolution of Both Houses 6 seeking Charter change.
Binay gave up the chairmanship of the committees on tourism, accounts and ethics.
Ejercito resigned as chairman of the committees on local government and urban planning.
Estrada was elected to succeed Legarda. Tolentino replaced Villanueva as majority leader, while Alan Peter took the accounts chairmanship from Binay.
Zubiri said he would leave his Senate top post "with my head held high, knowing I did what is right for the Senate and for the nation. I wish our new leadership the very best, and I pray that they will be steadfast in upholding the independence of our beloved institution."
"I will remain vigilant to make sure that the traditions and rules of the Senate remain steadfast. I want to thank my leadership team. I am proud to have led a Senate that has been resolute in protecting our institution, our democracy, and our people," he said.
"Being an independent leader, I gave way for each member of the Senate to also be independent and to come to decisions through collaboration rather than direction," he said.
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