MANILA — The attacks started when the Senate opposed the People’s Initiative (PI) that pushed for charter change.

This was the revelation of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri when asked who the people behind his removal were. He refused to name them, however.

“Nung hindi tayo sumang-ayon sa People’s Initiative, diyan na nag-umpisa. Hindi tayo sumang-ayon sa kanilang timeline sa charter change diyan ko naramdaman ang mga sama ng loob. At mahirap dahil ang akin lang naman gusto ko lang po manatili ang independensiya ng institution ng Senado. So I saw it coming,” Zubiri said in a press conference after he stepped down during Monday’s session.

(When we did not agree with the People’s Initiative, that’s when it started. We did not agree to their timeline for charter change, that’s when I felt that some got dismayed. And it was hard because all I wanted was for the Senate to remain an independent institution. So I saw it coming.)

“I’m sorry if may mga ruffled feathers at kung may mga nagalit sa akin. Pero ganun talaga ako,” he added.

(I’m sorry if I ruffled some feathers and if some people got angry at me. But that’s who I am.)

Zubiri was replaced by Senator Franchis “Chiz” Escudero.

Zubiri refused to answer if the hearings on the alleged PDEA leaks linking President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., had anything to do with the sudden developments.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t want to say it pero ganoon talaga (that’s what it is). Ako I’ve been very loyal to our President. I tried to give him good counsel. ‘Yung sa PI sinabihan ko siya na masama po ito sa ating bansa. Umpisa po ito ng kaguluhan. Hindi ko alam kung nakinig siya,” he said.

(I told him PI will be bad for our country. This will be the beginning of trouble. I don’t know if he listened.)

He also did not answer if Malacañang had a hand in it.

“I don’t want anymore to rain on the parade of Senator Escudero. Ang akin lang (For me) I did my job, I did it well,” Zubiri said.

According to the former Senate leader, he found out about moves to replace him on May 15.

“Noong Wednesday nalaman ko may kinakausap, nagkikita kita po, nag-uusap usap sila ang kabilang grupo, at ‘yun nag-umpisa na. Nagbabantayan po kami noong weekend.”

(I learned last Wednesday that there were talks, they saw each other, the other group was talking and it started there. We were monitoring each other during the weekend.)

Zubiri admitted that he was heartbroken because some senators promised to support him but turned their backs. 

“Medyo masama na ang loob ko dahil may mga nagtext sa akin na we are with you, full support po kami, kami ay 100% sa’yo. Wala pang isang araw wala na. Ang hirap talaga maging politiko.”

(I am a bit dismayed because some texted me to say “we are with you, we fully support you, we are 100% behind you.” Not even a day has passed and they were gone. It is hard to be a politician.)

“I just felt heartbroken.”

Those who stayed with Zubiri were Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Bato Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, and Joel Villanueva.

The two minority senators—Koko Pimentel and RIsa Hontiveros—also expressed support for him although they abstained from voting in order to stay in the minority.

Fourteen voted for the new Senate President.

“No regrets. I have no regrets…That is life. That is public service,” Zubiri remarked.  

CHIZ APOLOGIZES

In a separate press conference, Escudero apologized to those who were hurt by what happened but refused to detail how he was selected.

“Sa dulo, kung sinuman ang may kumpiyansa ng 13. Hindi na para sakin na ikuwento ang proseso sa puntong ito dahil gusto na naming umabante mula dito…Ako ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa anumang sugat na maaaring inilikha nito o nasaktan kaugnay nito,” Escudero said.

(In the end whoever has the support of 13 senators. It’s not for me to discuss the process because we want to move on from this…I apologize for any wound this may have created or anyone who was hurt.)

Asked if the Palace had a role in the turn of events, Escudero answered in the negative.

He also did not disclose the reason of his fellow senators for withdrawing their support for Zubiri, but said it all depends if someone still has the confidence of his fellow members.

The new Senate President said he only confirmed that he was going to get the position after he was sworn in, “Hangga’t di natapos di ako naniwala bagama’t nanampalataya ako.”

(I didn’t believe it until it was done although I had faith.)

Escudero insisted that he is independent and that he will not change. It’s unfair, he said, to say that he will be pressured by the Palace.

He also committed to working with everyone, including Zubiri.

“Walang team ko, team mo, team niya. Team naming lahat.”

(I don’t have a team, he doesn’t have a team. It’s everyone’s team.)

As to priority measures, Escudero will still have determine this since Congress adjourns this week. He will talk with fellow Senators about the status of charter change, which he opposes.