Senators clueless on rumored Zubiri resignation

At least five senators on Wednesday denied having any knowledge about the rumored plan of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri to resign from his post. Zubiri's victory in the 2007 polls is being contested before the Senate Electoral Tribunal by lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. In separate text messages to GMA News Online, Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan and Francis Pangilinan all said they were not aware that Zubiri is planning to step down from his post. "(I have) no news," said Drilon. "That's news to me," said Escudero. "Sorry I have no confirmation or personal knowledge on Sen. Zubiri's reported plan to resign," came Honasan's reply. For his part, Pangilinan said: "I doubt that very much, let me check though." Senate Majority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said, "I have no idea." The senators gave their reactions following a report from radio dzBB that Zubiri might tender his resignation after a privilege speech during Wednesday's Senate session. Escudero confirmed that Zubiri was set to deliver a privilege speech later in the day. Migz's denial In an interview with GMA News Online last Friday, Zubiri denied rumors he was resigning. "None that I know of," he said. Zubiri likewise said his speech would focus on his accomplishments in the Senate, specifically on his work for the environment. This time, however, Zubiri could not be reached as of posting time. Electoral protest Zubiri's victory in the 2007 elections is being contested by Pimentel, who ranked 13th in the 2007 senatorial elections with 10,987,347 votes. Zubiri made it to the "Magic 12" with 11,005,866 votes. Recently, Zaldy Ampatuan, a suspect in the Maguindanao massacre case and suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor, claimed that during the 2007 polls, the Arroyos ordered that votes from three senatorial candidates from the opposition in Maguindanao be transferred to Zubiri. The claim was corroborated by Lintang Bedol, a former election supervisor in Maguindanao. Pimentel said Ampatuan's revelation justified his electoral protest. But Zubiri maintained that he was not involved in any alleged cheating and that he was also a victim of so-called election syndicates, particularly in Metro Manila. The SET is expected to rule on the protest case in two to three months. At least three resolutions seeking an inquiry into alleged anomalies in the 2007 polls have been filed before the Senate and House of Representatives. — LBG/RSJ, GMA News