Zubiri, Villanueva confirm 'change of leadership' in Senate | ABS-CBN

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Zubiri, Villanueva confirm 'change of leadership' in Senate

Zubiri, Villanueva confirm 'change of leadership' in Senate

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated May 20, 2024 05:54 PM PHT

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MANILA — Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva confirmed an upcoming change of leadership in the Senate on Monday.  

"It's confirmed," Zubiri said, when asked about the change in Senate leadership. "I did my best, but I leave my head held up high."  

In a plenary session later in the afternoon, Zubiri said told his colleagues that he "gave way for each member of the Senate also to be independent and to come to decisions through collaboration rather than direction."

"I have never dictated my position on any of you, you know that," he said. "I've always supported your independence, which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be, as simple as that," he said, without elaborating. 

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"I fought the good fight. If I've ruffled some feathers doing so, so be it. Hindi ko tinaggap ang pagiging pangulo ng Senado para lang hayaang bumagsak ito. Today, I offer my resignation as Senate President."

Zubiri said he would "serve as an independent member of the Senate; my allegiance, as ever, belonging only to the Filipino people."

Senators later elected Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as their new leader. 


Earlier in the day, Villaneuva had confirmed that the looming change was the agenda of the May 20 session.

Villanueva thanked his colleagues in the screenshot of what appears to be a media Viber group of all the senators.  

"Signing off as your Majority Leader," he said.

As majority leader, Villanueva plotted the daily agenda of plenary sessions.

Before the leadership change, Zubiri led the Senate in approving bills on final reading. 

He was accompanied by Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito. Zubiri's wife Audrey was also spotted in their company.








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