SEN. Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said the “Solid 7” group plans to remain as independent members of the Senate and there is no talk for them to join the minority bloc.
The Solid 7 is composed of Zubiri and six other senators who opted to remain loyal to him even after his ouster as Senate president on May 20. The six are Juan Edgardo Angara, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Loren Legarda, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
The Senate minority block has two members — Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros.
“We plan to remain independent. There no talks yet of joining the minority bloc. We’re just waiting for Senator Joel being our majority leader… we will wait for him before we can make any decisions,” Zubiri said in mixed Filipino and English in a chance interview in Baler, Aurora.
Senate President Francis Escudero reiterated he sees the Senate as one body composed of 24 senators, and he treats all equally, whether from the majority or minority.
“They have been saying that for quite some now. For me, I repeat, there is only one Senate. Either you are in the majority or minority. I am not looking at that seven. But if they see themselves as such, I respect their opinion. But what I don’t understand is why they have to say it again and again, when I have already said that I see them as equals,” he said.
Escudero said he does not understand why his colleagues use the word “independent” to identify their membership.
He said every senator is “independent,” whether he or she is from the majority or minority bloc.
PERSONAL STAND
He said this evident with the way they vote on measures or other issues. He said there is majority or minority stand as the senators vote based on their personal stand.
Escudero also said Senate leadership change occurred more than a month now and it is time to work instead of talking about divisiveness in the chamber.
Zubiri said the Solid 7 will make a final decision before Congress’ regular session starts on July 22.
“But before July 22, of course, we’ll already know how we will be positioning ourselves. But definitely, Senator Chiz (Escudero) has nothing to worry about, as far as I’m concerned, basta gawin niya lang ang trabaho niya nang matapat para sa taumbayan (But before July 22, of course, we’ll already know how we will be positioning ourselves. But definitely, Senator Chiz has nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned, as long as he will perform his job with all honesty for the people),” he added.
Zubiri made the remark after Villanueva and Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito were reported planning to join the minority bloc.
Zubiri also said he will not join the opposition because he was re-elected while he was part of the UniTeam of President Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte.
