Leni-Kiko tandem drops Migz Zubiri from senatorial line-up

The team of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has dropped Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri from the list of senatorial candidates it was endorsing in Eleksyon 2022.

Robredo's spokesman Barry Gutierrez said Zubiri's open endorsement of another presidential candidate prompted the decision. 

Gutierrez said Zubiri's endorsement of another candidate violated the agreement between the Robredo-Pangilinan team and guest senatorial bets.

"His open endorsement of another presidential candidate, in contravention of the agreement with all guest candidates, led to this decision,” Gutierrez said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto in early April already removed the senate majority leader from their Senate slate after Zubiri raised the hand of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his home province Bukidnon.

“Alam naman nila ‘yun, kung ano ‘yung consequence. Kung ayaw nila sa amin [at] iba ‘yung gustong dalhin, eh parang awkward naman na dalhin pa rin namin sila, hindi ba? So, it’s a personal choice. No hard feelings,” Lacson said.

Zubiri is also in the senatorial slate of Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News