Marcos: I was aware of efforts to replace Zubiri

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that he was "aware" of the efforts to replace former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri in the upper chamber of Congress.

Marcos disclosed that it was Senator Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero who brought up the matter to him, noting that he had been informed about the issue ''every step of the way.''

''When did I know? The minute they started... actually, it was Senator Chiz (Escudero), the minute he started thinking about it, he brought it up, I think I'm going to try to lead the SP (Senate President)...'' recalled Marcos.

''And... I did not speak to any parties at any point simply because I was out of town, if you remember on that day, noong umaga, I was asked if I would issue a statement on the change of leadership and I said bakit nagchange na ba?," said Marcos.

"Well, mayroong gumagalaw... and when I landed back in Manila at three or four in the afternoon, saka lang, tapos na...'' he added.

''Nagchange na, nagstep down na si Senator Migz. so that's the extent, that's how... I was basically informed every step of the way but it moves so quickly as well. But of course, we knew the state of the voting when that was still being collected by Senator Chiz. Alam na namin 'yung lalabas na numero,'' he said. 

Still, Marcos said the decision to change the leadership was not made by him.

"The decision to change the leadership is not made by me. It was made by the senators. So, that does not reflect on my view on Senator Migz and the trust and confidence that --- in my view were --- that I have in him,'' Marcos said. 

Asked if he still trusts Zubiri, who ran under his UniTeam slate in the 2022 national polls, Marcos said, ''Sure. Of course.''

Insinuations that Malacañang had a hand in the ouster of Zubiri were raised after the latter highlighted in his resignation speech the independence of the Senate as an institution.

Zubiri said in his speech that he "failed to follow instructions from the powers that be," and that it is probably why he met his "demise."

"I have never dictated my position to any of you, and I always supported your independence—which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be," Zubiri said in his valedictory speech before he was replaced by Escudero. 

Marcos, meanwhile, said he does not know what Zubiri was referring to. 

''I guess if you are Senate President the only power that be is the President. So, I am not sure what he is referring to, if there is a specific instance or just as a general principle. I don’t know, I have not spoken to him about it,'' Marcos told the Philippine media delegation.

''So, it’s hard for me to answer simply because I am not sure what he’s referring to because what instructions could that be that hindi niya natapos. Yes, that’s still unclear to me what he's referring to,'' added the President. 

Escudero, meanwhile, apologized to those whom he and his allies hurt in the process of seeking the upper chamber's top post.

"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 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.)

 —VAL, GMA Integrated News