Amid rumors of a leadership coup in the Senate, several senators on Monday admitted to signing a resolution expressing support for Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri in what one of them confirmed was a loyalty check of sorts.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Sonny Angara said they both signed the resolution, and when the latter was asked if the measure was a loyalty check, Angara replied: “Something like that.”
Senator Cynthia Villar earlier divulged the existence of the resolution – although admitted she didn’t see it nor sign it — amid fresh speculation over the weekend that Zubiri would be toppled from his position.
“Wala daw. Eh nagpapasign si Senate President Zubiri. Eh di pano magpapalit yan? (None. Senate President Zubiri has been asking to sign….So how can there be a change?” she said.
When questioned if she was contented with the leadership of Zubiri, Villar replied: “As long as he will protect the system in the Senate.”
Senator Imee Marcos also said the coup was impossible as “there is no number” of senators who want to unseat Zubiri.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who the rumors said would be the one most likely to replace Zubiri, denied the speculation and guaranteed he would not support any coup, adding he had “high respect” for the Senate President and was not ready to assume the chamber’s leadership.
“Of course, but I haven’t received any copy (of the resolution) yet, so how can I sign if they don’t want to let me sign?” said Estrada who also addressed rumors that he would be stripped of his chairmanship of the Senate committee on national defense.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said the coup rumours were just gossip coming from outside the chamber, and that he was ready to sign the manifesto of support for Zubiri.
Revilla also debunked the talk that he would be made Senate majority leader if Estrada were to take over as Senate President.
Estrada’s half-brother, Senator JV Ejercito, said he would sign the resolution “without batting an eyelash Confronted if she signed the resolution, Villar said she was not told to do so.
Gatchalian revealed he signed the resolution to show his support and gratitude to the Senate President and to defend the institution especially with the emergence of the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“I haven’t heard of any (coup reports). We can see how SP (Zubiri) has been fighting for the Senate,” he said
The rumors to remove Zubiri have been going around since last year, Estrada said.
“I don’t know where it’s coming from,” he said.
Marcos said rumors of Zubiri’s ouster came from “outside forces.”