Senators deny coup to unseat Escudero
SENATORS on Monday dismissed rumors of an impending coup against Senate President Francis Escudero and plans to replace him with Sen. Cynthia Villar. Escudero declined to acknowledge the rumor. "I don't comment on rumors. Besides, as I always say, 'It's just a rumor until it happens.'" "Trabaho na lang muna tayo (Let us just focus on our work)," Escudero said in a text message when asked about the rumors. Senate President Francis Escudero Villar was surprised that her name was dragged into the issue. "Ako ang mag-se Senate president? [Pa]tapos na ang Senado nanggugulo pa tayo (Who me? I'll become Senate president? The Senate is about to go on recess, and we're still creating trouble)," she said. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sens. JV Ejercito and Ronald Dela Rosa described the rumor as "mere gossip." In separate interviews, they said they have not signed any resolution seeking Escudero's removal. Estrada said no one approached him to supposedly support Escudero's ouster. He supported Escudero to unseat Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri last year as Senate president, creating a major Senate reorganization. "Who would have the courage to approach me? I've been supportive of the leadership of Senate President Escudero," he said in a chance interview. Estrada said it is important that Escudero remains at the helm of the Senate in case the House of Representatives impeaches Vice President Sara Duterte and elevates the impeachment complaint to the Senate. "At least a lawyer will preside [over the impeachment trial]," Estrada said in Filipino. Ejercito said his fellow senators are satisfied with Escudero's leadership. "So, I don't think there's truth to that rumor." "I think it is difficult to entertain coup or change in leadership because of the work that we have to do," Ejercito said. Dela Rosa, in Filipino, said, "I haven't heard of any [coup]." But if it is true that Villar would be tapped to replace Escudero, Dela Rosa said he would "automatically" support her. "We're very close. But, there's no such thing." "So far, we're OK with Senator Chiz (Escudero). We have no problem [with him]," he added.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
SENATORS on Monday dismissed rumors of an impending coup against Senate President Francis Escudero and plans to replace him with Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Escudero declined to acknowledge the rumor. "I don't comment on rumors. Besides, as I always say, 'It's just a rumor until it happens.'"
"Trabaho na lang muna tayo (Let us just focus on our work)," Escudero said in a text message when asked about the rumors. Senate President Francis Escudero
Villar was surprised that her name was dragged into the issue. "Ako ang mag-se Senate president? [Pa]tapos na ang Senado nanggugulo pa tayo (Who me? I'll become Senate president? The Senate is about to go on recess, and we're still creating trouble)," she said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sens. JV Ejercito and Ronald Dela Rosa described the rumor as "mere gossip."
In separate interviews, they said they have not signed any resolution seeking Escudero's removal.
Estrada said no one approached him to supposedly support Escudero's ouster. He supported Escudero to unseat Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri last year as Senate president, creating a major Senate reorganization.
"Who would have the courage to approach me? I've been supportive of the leadership of Senate President Escudero," he said in a chance interview.
Estrada said it is important that Escudero remains at the helm of the Senate in case the House of Representatives impeaches Vice President Sara Duterte and elevates the impeachment complaint to the Senate.
"At least a lawyer will preside [over the impeachment trial]," Estrada said in Filipino.
Ejercito said his fellow senators are satisfied with Escudero's leadership. "So, I don't think there's truth to that rumor."
"I think it is difficult to entertain coup or change in leadership because of the work that we have to do," Ejercito said.
Dela Rosa, in Filipino, said, "I haven't heard of any [coup]."
But if it is true that Villar would be tapped to replace Escudero, Dela Rosa said he would "automatically" support her. "We're very close. But, there's no such thing."
"So far, we're OK with Senator Chiz (Escudero). We have no problem [with him]," he added.
