Former Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri referred back to a 2024 interview with GMA 7 in a recent Facebook post, reiterating his position on defending the Senate’s independence.
“Magandang paalala itong interview ko sa GMA 7,” Zubiri wrote. “Ako ang isa sa mga biktima noon sa bangayan ni Tatay Digong Duterte at ni President Marcos.”
He added, “Lalong-lalo na nung hinayaan ko ang independence ng Senado bilang institusyon. I’m proud to have fought the fake people’s initiative and to uphold the independence of the Senate even if it paid a heavy price to me personally.”
The interview he referenced was conducted shortly after he stepped down as Senate President in 2024.
Zubiri explained that some influential political figures were dissatisfied with his decision to allow Senate committee hearings to continue — including those on the alleged PDEA leaks led by Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
He said these hearings were in accordance with the Senate’s rules and traditions, and that committee chairs had the autonomy to pursue them, just as they had in previous administrations.
He also pointed to his opposition to the people’s initiative for constitutional amendments as a key reason for the political pressure he faced. He said that despite the consequences, he stood by his duty to protect the role and relevance of the Senate as an institution.
In his Facebook post, Zubiri concluded:
“Sa usap-usapan ngayon kung sino dapat maging bagong Senate President ay sana maalala nila ito. That the Senate is the last bastion of democracy as history has shown and the independence must always be upheld. Mabuhay ang Senado at mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”
Zubiri served as Senate President from 2022 to 2024.
