MANILA, Philippines – Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said on Monday, May 20, that he is stepping down as Senate president.
“Of course, heartbroken. Alam mo naman hindi naman siguro tayo kalaban ng (You know we’re not enemy of) the powers that be. Pero dahil not following instructions kaya nadale tayo (But because we’re not following instructions, we were targetted),” Zubiri told reporters.
The change in Senate leadership came before Congress’ sine die adjournment or when the session goes on two-month break. Congress will commence its third regular session on July 22 when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address.
It also happened as the Senate continued its probe into alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaks concerning the supposed involvement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in illegal drugs. Zubiri claimed that the Marcos camp was angry at him for allowing the probe to happen.
After four hearings, Senator Bato dela Rosa has failed to establish the alleged Marcos drug links, with his colleagues, including Escudero, saying the allegation was only based on hearsay.
Zubiri had warned Dela Rosa to stop using Senate hearings for political persecution. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that it was former president Rodrigo Duterte who instructed Dela Rosa to conduct hearings on the alleged PDEA leaks.
In July 2022, Zubiri was elected Senate president unopposed. He got the unanimous nod of 19 of his colleagues.
Originally published on https://www.rappler.com/philippines/migz-zubiri-out-as-senate-president/
