Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri on Wednesday debunked rumors that he is at risk to lose his position due to the slow passing of the priority measures under the Marcos administration.
"There has been no talk of leadership changes as well as any warnings from anyone on the output of the Senate. Nothing but tabloid gossip rubbish," he said in a statement.
On Tuesday, a political news website reported that its sources revealed that Zubiri might be ousted from his seat due to the lack of productivity of the Senate's Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO).
The news site said that in 2022, both chambers of Congress have only passed the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration, the postponement of the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), and the General Appropriation Act (GAA).
Several Senators backed Zubiri and denied the leadership changes speculations.
In a statement, Senator Sonny Angara said the Senate President is a "very good leader", adding that he and his team should "be given a chance as it is way too early to pass judgment."
He noted that low legislature output is common during the first year but this will increase in the second year.
Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda, who currently seats as Senate President pro tempore, also said that Zubiri has "very good leadership skills" and is "well very loved by his colleagues and the Senate employees."
"Senate President Miguel Zubiri, the Senate leadership, and the majority Senators, together with the minority Senators have been working diligently and productively," she said in a statement.
Senator Joel Villanueva condemned the news article, saying that this was a "desperate and pathetic move" to tint Zubiri's reputation and also an attempt to "destabilize the integrity of the Senate as an institution."
"Mas matibay pa po sa pader, mas matapang pa sa Kapeng Barako at mas matamis pa sa mangga ng Guimaras ang suporta ng mga senador sa liderato ni SP Miz," he said in a separate statement.
