‘PDEA leaks’ probe not behind Zubiri ouster – Chiz

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero has categorically denied that the investigation on the so-called Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaks, linking President Marcos to illegal drug use, triggered the ouster of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as head of the chamber.

Escudero, however, refused to reveal the reason why 15 senators signed a resolution calling for a change in Senate leadership.

He said even Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, initially thought he was to blame for the change in Senate leadership.

“That’s why Sen. Dela Rosa became emotional, because he said he was the reason why Sen. Zubiri was removed. Well, in that case, then we should have just removed Senator Dela Rosa (from his committee), instead. I told Dela Rosa maybe we should have just removed you, not the Senate president? But that (PDEA leaks probe) was not the reason,” Escudero yesterday told dzBB.

To prove that the PDEA leaks probe was not a factor in Zubiri’s unseating, Escudero said Dela Rosa is free to continue the investigation of his committee. At present, Dela Rosa has presided over four hearings in the Senate, all motu proprio.

The Senate President said he has advised Dela Rosa to file a resolution to formally call for an investigation to address questions of some quarters.

“It is an option during the recess to file a resolution, which will be referred to his committee so that his hearing will not be questioned and there will be clarity on the sides,” Escudero noted.

Initially, some quarters suspected that the ouster of Zubiri from the Senate helm was due to the Senate’s failure to support the House of Representatives-initiated people’s initiative, and Dela Rosa’s refusal to conclude the PDEA leaks’ probe which dragged the name of the Chief Executive to illegal drug use.

A few days ago, another factor seen in the removal of Zubiri from the Senate presidency was his refusal to allow Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. to attend the plenary session virtually as his Achilles tendon surgery wound had reopened.

Revilla said Zubiri initially decided not to allow him to participate in the Senate deliberations virtually.