Senators deny coup rumors vs. Escudero

Several senators on Monday denied the alleged coup plot against Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito dismissed the tabloid report as a mere rumor.

"Wala ‘yun, rumors lang yun. CHIZmis lang ‘yun, kasi so far okay naman ang performance, I think. Satisfied naman karamihan ng senators [at] marami namang natapos [at] kailangang tapusin so I don’t think there’s a truth to that rumor," Ejercito said in an ambush interview.

(That's not true. Those are just rumors because our performance in the Senate is okay so far. Most of the senators are satisfied with the leadership and we have accomplished many things, and we have a lot to finish. So I don't think there's a truth to that rumor.)

Ejercito said there was no resolution that reached his office and added that it is hard to pursue a change of leadership at the moment.

"Trabaho ngayon eh, kasi bicam. Palagay ko mahirap i-entertain ngayon yung coup o change in leadership because of the many works that we have to do," he added.

(We are focusing on our job because there are bicameral conferences. I think it is hard to entertain a change a leadership at this moment because of the many works that we have to do.)

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada likewise denied the report and asserted that it is better for Escudero to stay as the leader of the Senate.

"Those are all rumors... I think it stemmed from a write-up. Sa isang write up na nabasa ko," he said in a separate interview.

Estrada said that Escudero would be helpful should the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate.

"Kung saka-sakaling umakyat ang impeachment dito sa atin, at least abogado ang nagpe-preside," he said.

(In case the impeachment case reaches the chamber, at least the presiding officer is a lawyer.)

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he has not heard any talks of coup against Escudero.

He denied that he was among the supposed 12 senators who wanted to change the Senate president.

"Wala man akong balita. Saan naman kayo nakakakuha ng balita na yan?" he said.

(I have not heard any news about that. Where did you get that?)

Dela Rosa said he has no problems with Escudero's leadership.

"Depende yan sa majority kung anong gusto nila. Pero sa ngayon wala akong nakikita. Honestly, honestly. Hindi ko binobola kayo," the senator said when asked if there is a need for change in leadership at the moment.

(It depends on the pleasure of the majority, but now, I have not seen any problem with the Senate president.)

"At tsaka wala kaming problema kay Chiz okay naman ang takbo namin so far," he added.

(Also, we have no problem with Chiz. Our job is okay so far.)

Senator Cynthia Villar, who was reported to replace Escudero, likewise denied the report.

"Ako [r]aw ang magse-Senate president? Tapos na ang Senado, manggugulo pa tayo?" she said.

Local tabloid Pilipino Star Ngayon on Monday published an article reporting about Villar replacing Escudero as Senate President due to the possible impeachment trial against Duterte.

It reported that Senator Imee Marcos is leading the gathering of signatures to change the leadership in the chamber and 12 senators have already backed the resolution.

Among the supposed 12 who are in favor of ousting Escudero are Senators Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Mark Villar. —LDF, GMA Integrated News