Escudero apologizes over Zubiri's ouster on Senate's last session day

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero apologized Wednesday to those whom he and his allies hurt in the process of seeking the upper chamber's top post.

Escudero made the remark in his speech before he banged the gavel to adjourn the last session day of the 19th Congress' Second Regular Session.

"Dalawang araw pa lamang po akong naninilbihan bilang bagong taga-pangulo ng Senado... Hinihiling ko po ang inyong paumanhin kung may naabala man kami, kung may nasaktan man po kami, kung meron man po kaming naapakan na mga paa, sana tanggapin niyo ang aking buong pagpapakumbabang paghingi ng tawad," Escudero said.

(I've only been serving as the new Senate president for two days... I ask for forgiveness if we inconvenienced anybody, if we hurt anybody, if we stepped on anybody's toes, I hope you accept by humble apology.)

"Sisikapin po namin na gawin lahat ng aming makakaya para hindi man mahigitan, mapantayan man lang namin ang nagawa at nakamit ng mga nagdaang taga-pangulo ng Senado at ng bagong liderato ng Senado sa ngayon," he added.

(We will do everything that we can to exceed, or at least equal, what was achieved by previous Senate presidents and the new Senate leadership.)

Before his apology, Escudero acknowledged and thanked former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for his service in the last two years.

"Sa muli, taos pusong pagbati at pasasalamat kay Senate President Migz Zubiri at liderato ng Senado nitong nagdaang dalawang taon sa taos-pusong serbisyo nila sa bayan, gayundin sa bawat miyembro ng Senado," he said.

(Again, our heartfelt greetings and thanks to Senate President Migz Zubiri and the Senate leadership these past two years for their sincere service to the country, and to each member of the Senate.)

"Nais ko rin pong iparating ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat... sa lahat po ng naniwala, nagtiwala," he added.

(I would also like to extend my sincere thanks... to everyone who believed and trusted in me.)

Prior to this, the Senate adopted resolutions acknowledging Zubiri, former Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and former Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

Zubiri earlier said that his position as Senate president was sacrificed because he defended the inquiry of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa into the alleged leaked of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) papers linking President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to illegal drugs.

However, Escudero also said Wednesday that Marcos only learned about changes in the Senate leadership when a new top leader in the chamber was already installed.

Escudero had earlier admitted that he initiated the move to replace Zubiri as Senate president.

For his part, Dela Rosa on Wednesday said Zubiri's ouster was "fended off" before it was "rekindled" by senators in show business.

According to Dela Rosa, the ouster move developed after Zubiri turned down Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.'s request that he be allowed to attend sessions online due to a foot injury.

Saying he gave his all to the Senate presidency, Zubiri told his colleagues in his valedictory speech that he would continue to be an independent member of the Senate.

Following the leadership change, Zubiri said he saw his ouster coming as early as the middle of last week and adverted to betrayal by colleagues who had vowed "full support." — VDV, GMA Integrated News