Some Senators are at odds over the Senate presidency issue for the 20th Congress, Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.
Based on RH Raymund Dadpaas’ report on Monday, July 7, Zubiri admitted that he and some of his Senator friends are at odds due to the voting and decision on who to elect as Senate President. The Senator said he was specifically referring to their group, Seatmates.
The group is composed of Senators Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, and Loren Legarda. This also includes former Senator Grace Poe, now Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay, and the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara.
Zubiri recalled that he had campaigned for Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for the said position during a gathering at Legarda’s house. However, the former stated that he did not get any commitments from the group at the time.
Moreover, Zubiri said he was taken aback after he learned that some members of their group had sided with Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. The Senator explained that he and some of his colleagues were not informed about the decision.
“Medyo masama na loob namin kasi sana naman kinausap din kami. Alam naman nila si Tito Sen [Sen. Sotto] din yung unang ano namin,” Zubiri expressed, adding that his colleagues remained silent when he campaigned for Sotto.
“Tapos mamaya maya may mga desisyon na [pala sila] na hindi kami sinama. Baka gusto niyo sama-sama tayo na ito yung committees niyo. Wala hindi nga kami kinakausap. Kaya nga patay gutom na kami,” he said.
Zubiri is currently part of the Veterans Block, which is composed of Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sotto, and Legarda. Additionally, the former said they are prepared for debate as part of the Senate’s Minority group.
