Zubiri sees experience as edge in Senate presidency race

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he has the edge among other aspirants for the Senate presidency in the 19th Congress due to his experience.

"Isa ako sa mga itinutulak ng aming bloc [to be Senate president] I think we have a substantial number," Zubiri said ahead of his proclamation as a reelected senator in the May 9 polls.

"In terms of mastery of rules, kaya natin 'yan. Consensus building, kaya rin natin 'yan. I have been Senate majority leader under Senate President [Juan Ponce] Enrile and twice under the great Senate President Tito Sotto. Edge natin being a three-term majority leader," he added.

Zubiri, however, said his Senate colleagues' readiness to lead the Senate cannot be underestimated.

"Lahat naman kami handa ... even Robin Padilla," he said.

Padilla topped the 2022 Senate race with over 26 million votes. 

Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate finance committee, earlier said the Seatmates group composed of himself and Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe and Joel Villanueva already committed to support Zubiri's bid to be the next Senate President.

Angara also said that Senator Imee Marcos, sister of presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is pushing for Senator Cynthia Villar as the next Senate President. — RSJ, GMA News