00:00 News of the change of leadership in the Senate broke out like wildfire, and if those who
00:05 merely learned about the development were awestruck, those who became the casualties
00:10 of this earth-shaking shift have only just begun to process what had just transpired.
00:16 The persistent rumors of a coup were not only confirmed but actually became a reality, much
00:22 to the surprise of most, particularly the former leader of the upper chamber.
00:27 Daniel Manalatstas helps us make more sense of these jaw-dropping developments in this
00:32 report.
00:35 Senate President Francis Escudero shared some details of what happened before the change
00:40 of leadership and their takeover.
00:43 I'd rather focus on the unity of the Senate than the focus on what divided us in the beginning.
00:49 Senate President is always around us through a gentle, humble hand.
00:54 I think nine out of ten, except for the last few years, the Senate President has not been
01:01 removed from the D.D.Q.
01:03 So, we don't need any declaring vacant, and so on.
01:08 Just take it as it is, so it's not seamless, but at least peaceful and not chaotic.
01:14 It's Thursday, so I'm just going to talk.
01:18 When I say, "I'm just going to talk," there are a lot of people who are adamant.
01:25 To Bato De La Rosa, who stuck it out with me until the very end, sir, I salute you,
01:32 sir.
01:33 Meanwhile, as Senator Ronald De La Rosa was caught whipping yesterday, as Senator Juan
01:37 Miguel Zubiri announced his resignation as Senate President, he now has this admission.
01:43 As Senator, you signed in support of Senator President Escudero?
01:48 Yes, even though my signature was already insignificant, they approached me after the
01:58 battle has been won.
01:59 Zubiri and his allies heard of this.
02:03 I thought I've seen strange things in my political career, and this happens to be the strangest.
02:11 Yesterday, I was heartbroken, and now I'm dumbfounded.
02:16 I haven't processed what happened.
02:18 I told him, "Give me time.
02:19 You still haven't hugged my wife."
02:21 It's a bit painful.
02:22 Probably the greatest, biggest surprise of all.
02:27 It's so funny as well, because it came out after five, six hours.
02:35 While De La Rosa explained his whipping moment yesterday.
02:39 Sorry, boss.
02:41 I failed to win the war for you.
02:44 I failed to win the war for you.
02:46 That's why I cried.
02:48 It's not that I was upset, it's just that I was embarrassed.
02:56 I wasn't able to win the war for him.
03:02 Meanwhile, the current Senate leadership addressed some doubts.
03:06 Maybe the Senate is not a rubber stamp.
03:10 There are no outside forces.
03:11 It is just among our colleagues here.
03:16 It's just a change of leadership.
03:18 We will always be supportive of the legislative concerns of the palace, as long as it will
03:29 redound to the benefit of our people.
03:31 While on their relationship with the palace and the lower house.
03:34 We should be cordial.
03:36 In the same manner as we were cordial a few hours ago when we met representatives coming
03:41 from the Supreme Court, another co-equal branch of the government.
03:46 So, it should be like that for the people.
03:48 Between the Senate and the House of Representatives will be more...
03:54 The relationship between the Senate and the House of Representatives will be better.
04:01 Zubiri meanwhile said he and his allies will remain as one bloc.
04:06 Daniel Mananastas from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
