Several senators sign resolution backing Zubiri

Amid the rumored coup plot against Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, a resolution supposedly expressing support for the latter's leadership is being routed among the senators.

This was divulged by Senator Cynthia Villar amid fresh speculations over the weekend that Zubiri will be toppled from his position.

"Wala daw (coup). Eh nagpapa-sign si Senate President Zubiri, eh di paano magpapalit, eh siya ang nagpapa-sign?" Villar said in an ambush interview.

While she disclosed this, Villar said she has not seen the document yet.

"Di ko nakita. Wala naman silang pinapa-sign sa akin," she said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a close ally of Zubiri, confirmed that there is a resolution to support the Senate president.

"I signed a resolution to show my support kay SP and gratitude and defend din the institution, ang Senate, lalo na sa lumalabas na people's initiative. So as a sign of gratitude, nag-sign ako ng resolution to show my support," Gatchalian said in a separate interview.

Asked if this is related to any attempt to change the leadership, Gatchalian responded, "Wala naman."

"Wala namang ganoon, wala akong naririnig...at nakita naman natin gaano ipinaglaban ni SP ang institution," he went on.
 
Senator Sonny Angara, one of Zubiri's close ally, also disclosed that he signed the resolution supporting the current Senate leadership.

"May mga rumors (of coup)...Pumirma na ako in support. I signed the resolution. [which is] in support [of Zubiri]," Angara said.

"Parang balik-balik 'yung mga rumors. So we just want to put the issue to rest para we can work properly. We just have to make sure na 'yung mga ganon ay hindi manufactured. I think the Senate president is reaching out to everyone" he added.

Asked if the resolution is a loyalty check, Angara said, "Something like that."

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos said that the rumors of leadership change in the Senate are from "Congress and not from the senators."

"Nakakatawa nga eh. Palitan na lang kaya nila 'yung Speaker. Bakit nila papakialaman 'yung [Senate president]?" Marcos said.

The same claim that the coup rumors were from the House of Representatives were earlier stated by Senator JV Ejercito and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

Other senators who were asked if they saw the resolution backing Zubiri were Marcos, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla Jr., and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

Marcos said she has not seen the resolution yet, while Estrada, Revilla and Ejercito said they are willing to sign if it will be shown to them.—LDF, GMA Integrated News