Zubiri: ‘Veterans bloc’ open to be minority in 20th Congress

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday floated the possibility of four veteran senators forming the Senate minority bloc come the 20th Congress. 

The so-called “veterans bloc” or “conscience bloc” is composed of Zubiri, and Senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Loren Legarda, and Panfilo "Ping" Lacson. They are calling for the return of Sotto as the Senate president in the next Congress, replacing Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero. 

“Apat lang kami. Handa na po kami sa pagiging minority (There’s only four of us. We’re ready to become the minority),” Zubiri said in a press conference.

He said that their bloc is also willing to adopt Senator Risa Hontiveros, who recently declared that she is open to becoming an “independent senator” in 20th Congress, which will begin session on July 28. 

“Alam ninyo, naawa nga ako kay Senator Risa. Naaawa talaga ako sa kanya—kampanya nang kampanya siya para sa mga kandidato, tapos sabi niya gagawa siya ng sarili niyang bloke na independent bloc. Eh ngayon mag-isa na lang siya. I heard na mag-isa na lang siya. I cannot confirm or deny this,” Zubiri said. 

(I pity Senator Risa because she had been campaigning for certain candidates during the elections and she said she would form an independent bloc. But now she’s alone. I heard she’s on her own. I cannot confirm or deny this.) 

“She’s most welcome to join us. Although we have a divergent, I’d say, position on some issues. Of course she’s more on the left side, we’re more on the conservative side,” he added. 

Hontiveros previously said that she was still discussing with allies Senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan their plans for the 20th Congress.

The lady senator, who was part of the two-man minority bloc in the 19th Congress along with former Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, also said that it would be “more realistic” if she will be an independent senator in the 20th Congress, considering the numbers. 

Senate presidency

Asked for his thoughts about rumors that there are at least 13 senators supporting the reelection of Escudero for Senate presidency, Zubiri quipped, “Edi wow. Congratulations pagka-ganon (Wow. Congratulations, if that’s the case) .” 

Zubiri, a former Senate president himself, said that he is not actively campaigning for a leadership position as he is supporting the comeback of Sotto as head of the upper chamber. 

To recall, Zubiri had said he was not satisfied with the leadership of Escudero, stressing that he doesn’t want a Senate leader who is a dictatorial type. 

He also said that he has talked with some people who expressed apprehension with Sotto or Lacson becoming the next Senate president. 

"There’s a lot  of…I have a lot of privilege information. 'Yung mga kumakausap sa akin na mga ganito. Hindi magandang pakinggan kaya hindi ko na lang babanggitin what are the reasons why they don't want Tito Sen, why they don’t want Ping Lacson, masyadong strikto, masyadong ano. Kaya mahirap nang magsalita kasi ayaw ko naman maipit ang nagkukwento sa akin ng ganito," Zubiri said.

(There's a lot of... I have a lot of privilege information. Some people talk to me and tell me things that are unpleasant to hear. I won't share the reasons why they don't want Tito Sen, why they don't want Ping Lacson. Too strict. Too whatever. It's hard to speak about it because I don't want these people to be put in a sensitive situation.)

“It’s more of accommodation. I think many of them were given the best committees that the Senate can offer. Obviously, our selling point with our group is to be able to repair the image of the Senate and therefore we want to make it more transparent, especially dealing with the budget. We want to give the committees to those who are rightfully deserving because of their qualifications, maybe it’s not saleable to the members of this new 20th Congress,” he explained. 

Regardless, Zubiri said that the veterans bloc is still hopeful that Sotto will be elected Senate president as a lot may still happen before July 28. 

He also said that they are open to supporting other candidates for Senate presidency, who are not members of their bloc. 

“We’re open to another third force. Baka may dark horse diyan na gustong tumayo. Why not? We talked about it sa grupo namin. If there’s a dark horse that will come out that’s not necessarily us four, we’re willing to support. Basta ang pangako lang niya ay transparency at integridad ng Senado,” Zubiri said. 

(We're open to another third force. Maybe there's a dark horse out there that wants to stand up. Why not? We talked about it in our group. If there's a dark horse that will come out that's not necessarily us four, we're willing to support. As long as he or she will promise transparency and integrity in the Senate.) —AOL/ VDV, GMA Integrated News