'No outside forces': Jinggoy says Palace, Speaker had no hand in Zubiri's ouster
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'No outside forces': Jinggoy says Palace, Speaker had no hand in Zubiri's ouster
Senator Jinggoy Estrada takes his oath as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Senator Loren Legarda on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Senator Jinggoy Estrada takes his oath as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Senator Loren Legarda on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada maintained Tuesday that neither he, the Palace, nor Speaker Martin Romualdez had a hand in the ouster of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada maintained Tuesday that neither he, the Palace, nor Speaker Martin Romualdez had a hand in the ouster of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Estrada also declined to give details on the circumstances behind Zubiri's ouster and replacement by new Senate President Francis Escudero.
Estrada also declined to give details on the circumstances behind Zubiri's ouster and replacement by new Senate President Francis Escudero.
"I need not tell the whole story because it's already under the bridge. Water under the bridge 'di ba?" Estrada said.
"I need not tell the whole story because it's already under the bridge. Water under the bridge 'di ba?" Estrada said.
But he made it very clear that neither the Palace nor Romualdez had anything to do with the leadership change.
But he made it very clear that neither the Palace nor Romualdez had anything to do with the leadership change.
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While he admits that he talked to one colleague, whom he did not name, on Escudero's behalf, Estrada denies he orchestrated Zubiri's ouster.
While he admits that he talked to one colleague, whom he did not name, on Escudero's behalf, Estrada denies he orchestrated Zubiri's ouster.
"Ang lumalabas kasi na bali-balita sa labas na ako raw ang nag-instigate ako raw ang nag-initiate nitong kudeta laban kay Senator Migz. 'Di po totoo 'yan, I am denying it outright I [had] no hand, I never initiated or instigated the ouster of Senate President Zubiri," Estrada said.
"Ang lumalabas kasi na bali-balita sa labas na ako raw ang nag-instigate ako raw ang nag-initiate nitong kudeta laban kay Senator Migz. 'Di po totoo 'yan, I am denying it outright I [had] no hand, I never initiated or instigated the ouster of Senate President Zubiri," Estrada said.
(What is going around is that I initiated this coup. That's not true.)
(What is going around is that I initiated this coup. That's not true.)
Estrada disclosed he only talked to Escudero about the leadership change days before the Senate leadership shake-up.
Estrada disclosed he only talked to Escudero about the leadership change days before the Senate leadership shake-up.
"I received a call from Sen. Escudero three days ago before — three days ago — and he wanted to talk personally so I agreed to talk to him and he intimated to me that he was interested in the Senate presidency. Of course, I was asking a lot of questions, I agreed," Estrada said.
"I received a call from Sen. Escudero three days ago before — three days ago — and he wanted to talk personally so I agreed to talk to him and he intimated to me that he was interested in the Senate presidency. Of course, I was asking a lot of questions, I agreed," Estrada said.
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To him, it was not a decision he made lightly.
To him, it was not a decision he made lightly.
"When I made my decision I felt so heavy not literally syempre mabigat din sa aking pakiramdam na tanggalin ang isang kaibigan." Estrada said.
"When I made my decision I felt so heavy not literally syempre mabigat din sa aking pakiramdam na tanggalin ang isang kaibigan." Estrada said.
Estrada admitted Escudero offered his current position to him. He however declined to give his and his colleagues' reasons for joining Escudero.
Estrada admitted Escudero offered his current position to him. He however declined to give his and his colleagues' reasons for joining Escudero.
He maintained there are no outside forces behind the change.
He maintained there are no outside forces behind the change.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Tuesday that he is certain that the Palace had no involvement in the sudden change in Senate leadership.
“In my 24 years of experience in the Senate, there were only two instance na attempt ang Malacañang na magbigay ng influence so I doubt if the Palace has anything to do with the senate change of leadership. I’m very sure na wala. It’s their own move,” Sotto said.
A total of 15 senators signed individual resolutions supporting Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s new leadership.
Escudero admitted on Tuesday that he only started campaigning for a change in Senate leadership last week.
“I will not ask Sen. Escudero or Sen. Zubiri, I will ask the 15 who voted in favor to remove Sen. Zubiri. Sila ang dapat tanungin kung anong dahilan,” Sotto said.
SENATE INDEPENDENCE
Estrada assured the public that the Senate would remain independent even as he hoped for better relations with the House.
Estrada assured the public that the Senate would remain independent even as he hoped for better relations with the House.
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Estrada said he offered his chairmanship of the Labor Committee to former Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
Estrada said he offered his chairmanship of the Labor Committee to former Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
"I'm inclined to give up the Labor Committee in fact without the permission of the Senate President I already offered it to Senator Joel he being an expert in labor being the chairman of [Technical Education Skills and Development Authority] bakit sabi sa 'kin ni Sen. Joel he is going to think about it," Estrada said.
"I'm inclined to give up the Labor Committee in fact without the permission of the Senate President I already offered it to Senator Joel he being an expert in labor being the chairman of [Technical Education Skills and Development Authority] bakit sabi sa 'kin ni Sen. Joel he is going to think about it," Estrada said.
Estrada said his Committee on National Defense's probe of the alleged wiretapping of a military official by the Chinese Embassy will push through on Wednesday.
Estrada said his Committee on National Defense's probe of the alleged wiretapping of a military official by the Chinese Embassy will push through on Wednesday.
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