Senator Zubiri Resigns As Senate President, Chiz Escudero to Replace Him

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has stepped down as Senate President on Monday, May 20, for reasons he did not disclose.

“I have given this job my all…Today, I offer my resignation as Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines, and upon stepping down I vow to serve as an independent member of the Senate—my allegiance, as ever, belonging to no one but the people,” he said in a speech at the plenary.

“I have never dictated my position to any of you, and I always supported your independence—which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be.”

He emphasized that, under his leadership, the Senate had been an independent institution and he had “put myself on the line to shield the Senate from all attacks, particularly from efforts to diminish the powers of this institution as the country’s last bastion of democracy.”

“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,” he added.

Senator Chiz Escudero is set to replace him. Zubiri expressed his hope that the next leader will continue to uphold the independence of the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was elected as Senate President pro tempore, who will preside over the Senate in the absence of the Senate President.

Congress is set to adjourn for a two-month break beginning May 25 and will reopen for a joint session on July 22, in time for President Bongbong Marcos’s State of the Nation Address.

It was earlier reported that some senators were plotting to oust Zubiri as Senate President.

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