Former Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri today rejected the smear campaigns aimed at damaging his long-standing reputation as a public servant. He also announced plans to file cyber libel cases against individuals spreading unverified allegations about him.
Zubiri said that the black propaganda, which came in the form of videos spreading rumors posted on social media, was perfectly timed to coincide with his ouster as the leader of the Senate.
“They came out with a first set of videos two months ago, on the first attempt to unseat me. When that failed, they produced a part two video, which was released during the week of the second attempt. The timing is impeccable,” Zubiri noted.
The black propaganda, the senator noted, had “impeccable timing,” being circulated online just as he was being replaced as Senate President.
“It’s an obvious attempt to discredit my leadership and taint my name. And they’re funneling huge amounts of money into this campaign – from production to promotion,” Zubiri states.
“So to whoever’s spreading these lies to make it look like I’m pocketing government money to buy mansions and jets, these are totally false. I hope they’re ready because I will be filing cases and will not stop until justice prevails.”
The videos alleged the senator’s ownership of a house in Forbes Park, as well as private airplanes, jets and helicopters, suggesting that the Bukidnon senator acquired all of these through corruption.
“Walang katotohanan yan,” Zubiri declared, even challenging these fake news peddlers that if they can find a house in his name in Forbes, they can have it.
“It’s yours,” he said. “Yung bahay ko ngayon, na wala sa Forbes, ay nabili ko noong 2009 pa po. At nasa SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) ko po iyan,” he revealed.
As for the private aircraft, he explained that his obligations as a senator – especially during his time as Senate President – sometimes required him to borrow private aircraft to attend functions on a tight schedule.
The rumors also mention Zubiri building a resort in Camiguin, which the senator admits to.
“This is not a private hideaway, and you can find the property in my SALN,” he said.
“Nagpapatayo ako ngayon doon ng maliit na resort, dahil naniniwala ako sa ganda ng Camiguin at ng Northern Mindanao, at gusto kong tumulong na gawin itong top tourist destination dito sa Pilipinas,” he explained.
He went on to explain that as an entrepreneur, “may kaya naman po tayo.”
The Zubiri family is from the province of Bukidnon and has long been involved in sugar milling and pineapple farming. The Senator himself is also a major player in the industrial ice industry in Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, as well as the renewable energy industry in Bukidnon.
“May income po tayo, at nasa SALN ko po lahat iyan. And we pay all our taxes,” he said.
“I always encourage aspiring politicians to have their own sources of income separate from public service. Para walang temptation sa kaban ng bayan,” he continued.
“Matagal na ako sa pulitika, and I take pride in maintaining a clean record. Wala tayong scandals sa pera ng bayan. Kasama ba tayo sa Napoles Scandal? Hindi. Dahil hindi tayo sumang-ayon sa paglagay ng pera ng bayan sa mga private foundations.”
During his time in the House of Representatives, Zubiri recalls that he was approached by two different individuals to sign his name over for a P5 million payday tied to the liquid fertilizer scam. He angrily turned both offers down.
“I am proud that I was never part of those PDAF and fertilizer scams in previous administrations,” he expressed.
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