Escudero takes Senate helm after Zubiri resignation | ABS-CBN
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Escudero takes Senate helm after Zubiri resignation
Escudero takes Senate helm after Zubiri resignation
Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 20, 2024 04:11 PM PHT
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Updated May 21, 2024 08:53 AM PHT
Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero takes his oath as Senate president on May 20, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero takes his oath as Senate president on May 20, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATED) — Senators on Monday elected Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as its new Senate president in a surprise leadership change on the heels of several controversial investigations being conducted by the chamber.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Senators on Monday elected Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as its new Senate president in a surprise leadership change on the heels of several controversial investigations being conducted by the chamber.
Escudero replaced Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who had led the Senate since 2022.
Escudero replaced Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who had led the Senate since 2022.
In a press conference after the Senate session, Escudero said he will work with all members of the legislature.
In a press conference after the Senate session, Escudero said he will work with all members of the legislature.
"Walang team ko, team mo, team niya. Team dapat nating lahat ang bansang Pilipinas. And I look forward to working with each and every member of Congress, whether majority or minority," he said.
"Walang team ko, team mo, team niya. Team dapat nating lahat ang bansang Pilipinas. And I look forward to working with each and every member of Congress, whether majority or minority," he said.
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(We should not be on different teams. Our team should be the Philippines.)
(We should not be on different teams. Our team should be the Philippines.)
He also said it was unfair to speculate on why his predecessor was replaced by the Senate majority, saying officers of the Senate serve the chamber at the pleasure and confidence of their colleagues.
He also said it was unfair to speculate on why his predecessor was replaced by the Senate majority, saying officers of the Senate serve the chamber at the pleasure and confidence of their colleagues.
"Huwag na nating ungkatin ang nakaraan. Kung gusto mong ungkatin yung masasakit na nakaraan, manood ka na lang ng teleserye," Escudero, who said in jest during the press conference that there will be more time during his presidency of the Senate for more serious discussions.
"Huwag na nating ungkatin ang nakaraan. Kung gusto mong ungkatin yung masasakit na nakaraan, manood ka na lang ng teleserye," Escudero, who said in jest during the press conference that there will be more time during his presidency of the Senate for more serious discussions.
(Let's not dig up the past. If you want to dig up painful pasts, just watch a teleserye)
(Let's not dig up the past. If you want to dig up painful pasts, just watch a teleserye)
"Mas nais ko pag-usapan ang mga susunod pa nating puwede pa nating puwedeng hakbangin para mapagkaisahan at na isulong," he said.
"Mas nais ko pag-usapan ang mga susunod pa nating puwede pa nating puwedeng hakbangin para mapagkaisahan at na isulong," he said.
(I would rather talk about the next steps that we can take, so we can agree and move forward.)
(I would rather talk about the next steps that we can take, so we can agree and move forward.)
Asked if the Senate would remain an independent institution under his leadership, Escudero said he would rather let his actions and decisions speak for themselves.
Asked if the Senate would remain an independent institution under his leadership, Escudero said he would rather let his actions and decisions speak for themselves.
He pointed out earlier in the press conference that although he was close friends with the late former President Benigno Aquino III, they had not always agreed on issues and that he had voted on bills based on his conscience and what he believed would benefit the country.
He pointed out earlier in the press conference that although he was close friends with the late former President Benigno Aquino III, they had not always agreed on issues and that he had voted on bills based on his conscience and what he believed would benefit the country.
He added that he had just voted against a tax measure proposed by the Department of Finance prior to his election as Senate president.
He added that he had just voted against a tax measure proposed by the Department of Finance prior to his election as Senate president.
"[That was] even before I was elected and I don’t think there’s any reason for me to change." he said.
"[That was] even before I was elected and I don’t think there’s any reason for me to change." he said.
ZUBIRI: I FAILED TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
In an emotional speech, Zubiri said he was quitting as Senate president and announced his move to being an "independent" senator.
In an emotional speech, Zubiri said he was quitting as Senate president and announced his move to being an "independent" senator.
"I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be. As simple as that," Zubiri said of his political "demise."
"I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be. As simple as that," Zubiri said of his political "demise."
During Monday's plenary session, senators confirmed that Escudero would be the new Senate President and wished him luck as the their new leader.
During Monday's plenary session, senators confirmed that Escudero would be the new Senate President and wished him luck as the their new leader.
"To the new leadership, Senate President Chiz Escudero, I wish you and your team the best," Sen. Sonny Angara said.
RELATED: Chiz admits 'abuse' of protocol plate after viral traffic apprehension
"To the new leadership, Senate President Chiz Escudero, I wish you and your team the best," Sen. Sonny Angara said.
RELATED: Chiz admits 'abuse' of protocol plate after viral traffic apprehension
Rumors of Senate "coup" had been recurring since last year, supposedly stemming from the "discontentment" on the way Zubiri was leading the chamber.
Rumors of Senate "coup" had been recurring since last year, supposedly stemming from the "discontentment" on the way Zubiri was leading the chamber.
This was worsened by the tension brought by the People’s Initiative, with the House of Representatives criticizing the Senate's hardline stance against changing the Charter.
This was worsened by the tension brought by the People’s Initiative, with the House of Representatives criticizing the Senate's hardline stance against changing the Charter.
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