ASEANEWS HEADLINE-VP IMPEACHMENT | MANILA: Talks of Senate coup vs Escudero are just rumors, senators say

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero answers questions from the media during a press briefing at the Senate building in Pasay on November 13, 2024.

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‘MANILA, Philippines — Rumors of an alleged Senate shakeup have once again taken over the halls of the upper chamber, now in time for the looming impeachment attempts against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In separate ambush interviews on Monday, senators denied the existence of such a coup, maintaining their strong support for the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero.

‘A mere CHIZmis’

“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,” said Senate Deputy Majority Leader  JV Ejercito when he was asked about the matter.

(Those are all rumors, because we’re okay with his performance so far. Most of us are satisfied and this leadership has accomplished many things so I don’t think there’s a truth to that rumor.)

Over the weekend, it circulated online that a coup d’etat is cooking in the upper chamber, with Sen. Cynthia Villar posed to replace Escudero.

 

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Villar herself vehemently denied the existence of such an ouster attempt.

 

“Ako ang mag Senate president? Tapos na ang senado manggugulo pa tayo,” she told reporters also on Monday.

(Me, as a Senate president? The Senate is about to adjourn and we’ll make a mess?)

 

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‘Blessing in disguise’

For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada admitted that he had read about the circulating report on the ouster attempt, but he also maintained his support for Escudero.

Asked if someone had approached him to sign a resolution for the ouster, the chamber’s second top leader answered in the negative.

“Wala, e sino namang maglalakas ng loob na lapitan ako alam naman nilang I’ve been supportive of the leadership of Senate President Escudero?” he asked.

(None. Who in their right mind would approach me if they know that I’ve been supportive of Escudero?)

In the same interview, Estada was also asked about the importance of an intact Senate leadership, especially amid the possibilities of an impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte.

“Blessing in disguise yan. Kung saka-sakaling umakyat ang impeachment dito sa atin, at least abogado ang nagpe-preside,” said Estrada.

(That’s a blessing in disguise. If ever this impeachment reaches the Senate, at least a lawyer would preside.)

But does this mean that it would be better if Escudero remains as the Senate chief? Estrada said definitely.

 

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No valid reason

Known Duterte supporter Sen. Bato dela Rosa said he personally does not know where such rumors started. But he admitted that if Sen. Villar is set to replace Escudero, he would be in support of her.

“Kapag si Sen. Villar automatic kasama ako [sa boboto] kung totoo yan – kasi kaibigan kami ‘di ba? Very close kami. Kaibigan din kami ni Chiz, pero wala ha. Wala akong narinig,” said dela Rosa.

(If it’s Sen. Villar, it’s automatic that I’ll be among those who would vote because we’re friends, right? We’re very close. Chiz and I are also friends, but there’s none. I haven’t heard anything about that.)

For now, dela Rosa said he does not see a valid reason for a leadership change. This, even after the Senate unanimously voted against the Office of the Vice President’s budget hike increase for next year.

“Ah, dahilan? Wala man. Okay man kami kay Sen. Chiz. Wala man so far — hindi naman kami, wala naman kaming problema,” he said.

(A reason? There’s none. We’re okay with Sen. Chiz. We have no problem.)

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A coup attempt was born

Sen. Alan Peter Cayateno, meanwhile, also denied that there was an ouster attempt that transpired over the weekend. He, however, revealed that someone tried to push for one about four to five weeks ago.

“About 4-5 weeks ago may nagpa-meeting talaga, but of course dine-deny din [na] yun ang topic,” he told reporters.

(About 4-5 weeks ago, someone initiated a meeting. But of course, they are denying that it was the topic.)

Ceyateno did not detail which senator initiated such. No other details were also provided.

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‘Just a rumor until it happens’

READ: Senators weep as Senate President Zubiri delivers his valedictory speech

“Besides, as I always say, it’s just a rumor until it happens. Trabaho na lang muna tayo,” said Escudero.

It was not the first time that rumors of an ouster plot have hounded Escudero’s leadership. In May, alleged attempts to oust him have already circulated within the halls of the upper chamber, but Escudero, himself, dismissed these as a mere bluff.

Escudero took his oath as the 25th Senate President of the Philippines in May after successfully  initiating an ouster plot against his predecessor Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

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