Resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
By Jelly F. Musico
The resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri amid allegations of 2007 poll fraud and the two impeachment complaints filed against former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona topped the events in the Philippine Senate in 2011.
Zubiri became the first member of the Philippine Senate to quit even as he vehemently denied alleged electoral fraud, saying: “I’m falsely accused without mercy and compassion.”
The resignation shocked his colleagues in the Senate, including Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who described him as hardworking lawmaker. During the 14th Congress, Zubiri sponsored, principally authored, co-sponsored or authored 432 laws.
Zubiri decided to step down last Aug. 3, ahead of the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) in connection with the electoral protest of his closest rival Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, because he and his family were already hurt by personal attacks hurled against him. He said he also wanted to protect the Senate as an institution.
Zubiri, who was a member of the senatorial line of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007 election, denied any involvement in the massive election cheating allegedly orchestrated by the Ampatuans in favor of the administration candidates in Maguindanao province.
In 2007 election, Zubiri was declared the 12th senator with 11,005,866 votes, edging Pimentel with 10,987,347 but based on the SET decision, Pimentel garnered 10,898,786 votes as compared to Zubiri’s 10,640,620 votes.
Pimentel was finally proclaimed the 12th senator of the 2007 senatorial election last Aug. 12, vowing to push for legislation that would reform the election system in the country. He was given the Senate committee on electoral reforms.
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