Zubiri on Dela Rosa voting for his removal: 'Masakit. I am dumbfounded'
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Zubiri on Dela Rosa voting for his removal: 'Masakit. I am dumbfounded'
MANILA — From profusely thanking Senator Bato Dela Rosa on Monday, former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri now finds himself deeply hurt and dumbfounded after finding out that the former actually voted for his ouster.
MANILA — From profusely thanking Senator Bato Dela Rosa on Monday, former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri now finds himself deeply hurt and dumbfounded after finding out that the former actually voted for his ouster.
Zubiri and his allies only found out during dinner last night, according to former Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva. It was Sen. Bong Go who told them about it.
Zubiri and his allies only found out during dinner last night, according to former Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva. It was Sen. Bong Go who told them about it.
“I thought I’ve seen strange things in my political career, and this happens to be the strangest,” Zubiri said.
“I thought I’ve seen strange things in my political career, and this happens to be the strangest,” Zubiri said.
“Talagang, kung kahapon ako po ay heartbroken, ngayon po ako ay dumbfounded. Talagang hindi ko ma-gets, hindi ko talaga maisip, hindi ko talaga ma-grasp ang pangyayari. At least alam niya na dinepensahan ko siya bilang isang Chairman ng Committee at dahil diyan nagkaroon po ng sakripisyo, ako po ang sakripisyo diyan. Nawala po ako sa posisyon,” Zubiri said.
“Talagang, kung kahapon ako po ay heartbroken, ngayon po ako ay dumbfounded. Talagang hindi ko ma-gets, hindi ko talaga maisip, hindi ko talaga ma-grasp ang pangyayari. At least alam niya na dinepensahan ko siya bilang isang Chairman ng Committee at dahil diyan nagkaroon po ng sakripisyo, ako po ang sakripisyo diyan. Nawala po ako sa posisyon,” Zubiri said.
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(If yesterday I was heartbroken, now I am dumbfounded. I really do not understand, I cannot grasp what is happening. At least he knows I defended him as Committee Chairman and because of that a sacrifice happened, and I was the sacrifice. I lost the position.)
(If yesterday I was heartbroken, now I am dumbfounded. I really do not understand, I cannot grasp what is happening. At least he knows I defended him as Committee Chairman and because of that a sacrifice happened, and I was the sacrifice. I lost the position.)
The former Senate leader allowed Dela Rosa to hold hearings on the so-called "PDEA leaks" that allegedly links President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to illegal drugs, which many suspected was one of the reasons for his ouster.
The former Senate leader allowed Dela Rosa to hold hearings on the so-called "PDEA leaks" that allegedly links President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to illegal drugs, which many suspected was one of the reasons for his ouster.
“Medyo masakit! Masakit. Pero okay lang, it’s okay because alam mo bilang politician, ganoon talaga ang buhay. Akin lang it’s very surreal, surreal talaga parang hindi ko maintindihan parang nasa twilight zone,” Zubiri added.
“Medyo masakit! Masakit. Pero okay lang, it’s okay because alam mo bilang politician, ganoon talaga ang buhay. Akin lang it’s very surreal, surreal talaga parang hindi ko maintindihan parang nasa twilight zone,” Zubiri added.
(It hurts a bit! It hurts. But it’s okay because that is the life of a politician. It’s just very surreal, surreal that I cannot understand, it’s like I’m in the twilight zone.)
(It hurts a bit! It hurts. But it’s okay because that is the life of a politician. It’s just very surreal, surreal that I cannot understand, it’s like I’m in the twilight zone.)
Zubiri was able to talk briefly with Dela Rosa but they have not yet threshed out the issue.
Zubiri was able to talk briefly with Dela Rosa but they have not yet threshed out the issue.
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“Nakausap ko siya, sinabi ko sa kaniya bigyan niya ko ng pagkakataon, hindi ko pa talaga mabigyan ng komento, hindi ko pa ma-process ‘yung pangyayari. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Give me time, niyakap mo pa ‘yung asawa ko. Di ba, parang ‘Wow! Ba’t mo pa niyakap ang asawa ko?’” Zubiri candidly said.
“Nakausap ko siya, sinabi ko sa kaniya bigyan niya ko ng pagkakataon, hindi ko pa talaga mabigyan ng komento, hindi ko pa ma-process ‘yung pangyayari. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Give me time, niyakap mo pa ‘yung asawa ko. Di ba, parang ‘Wow! Ba’t mo pa niyakap ang asawa ko?’” Zubiri candidly said.
(I talked to him, I told him give me time, I still cannot comment, I cannot process it yet. I told him give me time. You even hugged my wife. It’s like, wow! Why did you even hug my wife?)
(I talked to him, I told him give me time, I still cannot comment, I cannot process it yet. I told him give me time. You even hugged my wife. It’s like, wow! Why did you even hug my wife?)
Asked if he feels betrayed, Zubiri let out a long sigh and answered, “Let the people decide.”
Asked if he feels betrayed, Zubiri let out a long sigh and answered, “Let the people decide.”
GREATEST, BIGGEST SURPRISE
Despite being a seasoned politician who is familiar with the maneuverings in politics, Villanueva said he was “really, really surprised” with Dela Rosa’s actions.
Despite being a seasoned politician who is familiar with the maneuverings in politics, Villanueva said he was “really, really surprised” with Dela Rosa’s actions.
“I think we are all surprised. That’s the, I think that’s the greatest surprise of all, probably in the entire history of leadership change. But you know, it is what it is. And we respect everyone’s judgment, opinion, even decision. It’s kind of weird, of course. But it is what it is,” Villanueva said.
“I think we are all surprised. That’s the, I think that’s the greatest surprise of all, probably in the entire history of leadership change. But you know, it is what it is. And we respect everyone’s judgment, opinion, even decision. It’s kind of weird, of course. But it is what it is,” Villanueva said.
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“It’s funny as well kasi it came out after 5, 6 hours of the incident,” he added.
“It’s funny as well kasi it came out after 5, 6 hours of the incident,” he added.
'MAGIC 7'
According to Zubiri, he will remain in one bloc with Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, and Villanueva.
According to Zubiri, he will remain in one bloc with Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, and Villanueva.
“You can call us whatever you want, ‘Magic 7.’ We’re together, buong buo po ang puso at suporta namin sa isa't isa. Hindi pa namin alam kung manatili kaming independent, we’re still discussing it,” Zubiri explained.
“You can call us whatever you want, ‘Magic 7.’ We’re together, buong buo po ang puso at suporta namin sa isa't isa. Hindi pa namin alam kung manatili kaming independent, we’re still discussing it,” Zubiri explained.
(We’re together, our hearts are one and we solidly support each other. We don’t know yet if we will stay independent, we’re still discussing it.)
(We’re together, our hearts are one and we solidly support each other. We don’t know yet if we will stay independent, we’re still discussing it.)
“Ang kagandahan po nito ay talagang lumakas lalo ang aming samahan. Sa hirap at ginhawa talaga yung Seatmates group namin na ito ay nagsama-sama hanggang sa huli,” he said.
“Ang kagandahan po nito ay talagang lumakas lalo ang aming samahan. Sa hirap at ginhawa talaga yung Seatmates group namin na ito ay nagsama-sama hanggang sa huli,” he said.
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(What’s good here is our friendship became stronger. In good times and in bad, the Seatmates group is together until the end.)
(What’s good here is our friendship became stronger. In good times and in bad, the Seatmates group is together until the end.)
They will make their final decision upon resumption of Congress in July.
They will make their final decision upon resumption of Congress in July.
As for Villanueva, he said he has talked in passing with Senate Minority Floor Leader Koko Pimentel about possibly joining the minority.
As for Villanueva, he said he has talked in passing with Senate Minority Floor Leader Koko Pimentel about possibly joining the minority.
“We’re still studying all possibilities. Daming options available for us, especially for me. On my end I could only speak for my self na puwede, puwede akong mag-minority (I can join the minority),” Villanueva remarked.
“We’re still studying all possibilities. Daming options available for us, especially for me. On my end I could only speak for my self na puwede, puwede akong mag-minority (I can join the minority),” Villanueva remarked.
Asked if he will be Minority Leader, Villanueva said “everything is possible.”
Asked if he will be Minority Leader, Villanueva said “everything is possible.”
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