Marcos: New Senate chief to lead passage of priority and ‘transformative’ bills
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter
PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said he is banking on the new Senate president to lead the chamber in passing priority bills.
“Senator Chiz steps into this role following the commendable tenure of Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, and I am confident that under his leadership, the Senate will continue to prioritize transformative laws to achieve our shared vision for a Bagong Pilipinas,” he said in a statement.
“His legislative record and commitment to public service have distinguished him as a dedicated leader,” he added, referring to Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero.
Mr. Escudero on Tuesday replaced Mr. Zubiri, who said he was booted out because he had “ruffled some feathers.” He did not elaborate.
At a separate news briefing, newly elected Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino said the new Senate leadership would focus on the New Government Procurement bill before Congress goes on a break next week.
He added that some congressmen had asked the Senate to retain most committee chairmen to ensure deliberations on pending bills are not stalled.
“The instruction given to me is [that we are] full steam ahead with the procurement law,” Mr. Tolentino said in mixed English and Filipino.
Michael Henry LI. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said the change in Senate leadership is unlikely to dampen infighting between lawmakers.
“On the contrary, it might even embolden both sides to ramp up the vitriol against one another,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“The sad part here is that the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s list of priority legislation will likely take a backseat to intense partisan politics,” he added.
Mr. Zubiri on Monday said the push for constitutional amendments would likely weaken given the new Senate president’s opposition to easing the Charter’s economic restrictions.
Mr. Escudero on Monday said he does not plan on changing his mind about constitutional amendments.
Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said Mr. Zubiri could have been seen by his peers as indecisive.
“In the two years of his leadership, the senate was seen as merely responding to whatever the House of Representatives counterparts were advancing,” he said in a Messenger chat.
“His way of doing politics no longer fits the kind of politics that has emerged, with increasing tensions between the factions within the ruling coalition,” he added.
Mr. Zubiri earlier said he was aware of criticisms from supporters of Mr. Marcos and ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“It is a question of whether they can still get things done in the remaining months,” Maria Ela L. Atienza, who teaches political science at the University of the Philippines, said in a Viber message.
“The expectation is they would be more supportive of the President’s agenda.”
