Migz out, Chiz in as Senate chief

Two days before Congress goes on sine die adjournment, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri resigned yesterday as Senate president, as some of his colleagues were reportedly laying the groundwork for his ouster.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Sen. Francis Escudero took over the position that Zubiri said he left "with head held high, knowing I did what is right for the Senate and for the nation." He reportedly made the decision after learning of a move by 14 of his colleagues a simple majority - to vote for his ouster.

"I wish our new leadership the very best, and I pray that they will be steadfast in upholding the independence of our beloved institution," he said.

In his valedictory address, Zubiri said: "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." Escudero, for his part, said there will be "no color coding" in the Senate under his leadership.

"I ask each and every one of us members of the only Senate to have only one color - to support the flag of the Philippines," Escudero said.

His wife, actress Heart Evangelista, joined him when he took his oath.

When asked about his plans, Escudero said, "My priority right now will be my job as the Senate president not only for the country, not only for the institution but also for my colleagues." After the resignation of Zubiri, the senators elected Jinggoy Estrada as the new Senate president protempore, replacing Loren Legarda, while Francis Tolentino was named Senate majority leader, replacing Joel Villanueva.

Other senators not mentioned by Zubiri who were believed to have supported the change in leadership were Estrada, Tolentino, siblings Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Grace Poe, Ramon Revilla Jr., Raffy Tulfo, Cynthia Villar and son Mark Villar.