Metro Manila, Philippines — Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri unceremoniously stepped down as Senate president, while Francis “Chiz” Escudero took over the third highest position in the land and second in the line of succession.
Two days before Congress adjourned, Zubiri announced he is leaving the position vacant with his “head held high.” The lawmaker held the position since the 19th Congress opened in July 2022. “I have never dictated my position on any of you. 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,” a visibly emotional Zubiri said in his valedictory speech at the session hall. Zubiri’s exit triggered resignations from other officials:
- President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda
- Majority Leader Joel Villanueva
- Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito
- Committees on tourism, accounts, and ethics and privilege chairperson Nancy Binay
- Committees on finance, youth, and subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes chairperson Sonny Angara
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano then nominated Escudero as Senate president. There were no objections. Minority Leader Koko Pimentel later on said he and Sen. Risa Hontiveros abstained from voting. “With that, we manifest our desire and our intention to remain in the minority,” he added.
An expected shakeup
In his first press conference since his resignation as Senate president, Zubiri said “he must have ruffled other people’s feathers” in a bid to maintain the independence of the chamber. The lawmaker quit upon learning that he no longer had enough support from his colleagues to keep his post.
He said this came as no surprise as he sensed instability over the chamber’s objection to charter change moves in the House of Representatives through people’s initiative.
Zubiri also said he knew as early as May 15 that there were talks among his colleagues to unseat him.
The Senate leadership shakeup happened amid the probe on alleged leaks in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that linked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and actress Marciel Soriano to illegal drugs.
Zubiri earlier said the Marcos group was supposedly angry at him for allowing the probe led by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. “I’m not heartbroken not because of position. I’m heartbroken because of those who committed to be steadfast with us. We had the same ideals, and all of a sudden, nawala po. Ganiyan talaga ang buhay [It disappeared. That’s life],” he said. Zubiri was left with seven allies: Legarda, Villanueva, Ejercito, Binay, Angara, Dela Rosa, and Sherwin Gatchalian. Zubiri acknowledged Dela Rosa’s support. To Bato dela Rosa, who stuck it out with me to the very end, sir, I salute you,” Zubiri told a weeping dela Rosa. But newly installed Majority Leader Francis Tolentino later said Dela Rosa was among the 15 senators who signed the manifestation of support for Escudero. Dela Rosa confirmed his change of heart. Even though my signature was already insignificant, lumapit sila sa akin [they came to me] after battle has been won,” he said in a news conference on May 21. Dela Rosa also apologized to Zubiri for failing “to win the war” for him.
Marcos-Escudero ties
The Senate leadership shuffle came after President Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas entered into an alliance with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. Escudero ran under the NPC in the 2022 senatorial elections. The ties between the Escudero and Marcos families run deep as well. Escudero’s father, the late former Sorsogon Rep. Salvador “Sonny” Escudero III, was minister of agriculture of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, father of the president. In 2011, the older Escudero even authored a resolution seeking to grant the ousted dictator a burial at the Libingan ng Bayani. This was backed by nearly 200 members of the House of Representatives. The younger Escudero, meanwhile, abstained when the Senate voted on a resolution expressing opposition to the hero’s burial.
Who replaces who?
After the dust has settled, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is now president pro tempore.
Tolentino, a Duterte ally who may seek reelection in the 2025 midterm polls, replaces Villanueva as majority leader. Cayetano, meanwhile, will lead the committee on accounts which, according to the chamber’s website, deals with “all matters relating to the auditing and adjustment of all accounts chargeable against the funds for the expenses and activities of the Senate.” Other committee chairmanships still need to be filled up, although Angara hinted that Sen. Grace Poe will replace him as head of the powerful finance committee. Poe, who will end her Senate stint in 2025, sought the presidency in 2016 with Escudero s running mate. They lost to Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo who won as president and vice president.
‘New partnership’
House Speaker and presidential cousin Martin Romualdez was quick to congratulate Escudero. Escudero will sit with the president and the speaker at the stage in the House of Representatives once Congress opens its third regular session on July 22 to hear the State of the Nation Address. Romualdez said he is “optimistic about the new partnership” with the Senate. “With Senator Escudero’s leadership in the Senate, I am confident that we can further strengthen our legislative agenda and ensure the successful implementation of these programs,” he said in a statement. He also expressed “heartfelt appreciation” to Zubiri for his “outstanding service and leadership.”
