Marcos on Zubiri saying he was ousted for failing to follow 'powers that be': Unclear what he's referring to

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he does not know what former Senate President Juan Miguel ''Migz'' Zubiri meant when he said he was removed from his post after he allegedly failed to follow instructions from the 'powers that be.'

Marcos said it is unclear to him what Zubiri referred to when he made the remark.

''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 here.

''The last time I spoke to him, we talked about the procurement last, which did not come up. 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 [he didn't finish]. Yes, that’s still unclear to me what he's referring to,'' he added.

The Chief Executive earlier said he was aware of efforts to replace Zubiri, but stressed that he had nothing to do with it.

''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?," he said.

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

''That was made by the Senate,'' Marcos said. 

'Powers that be'

Zubiri earlier 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 Senator Francis Escudero on May 20, 2024.

Escudero assumed the Senate presidency after he secured the support of 14 other senators.

The senators who backed Escudero's bid were Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Bong Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar and Mark Villar.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News