Zubiri sees no need to remove Pimentel, Gordon from their posts

 Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday defended Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Richard Gordon amid threats to remove them from their Senate posts.

In a statement, Zubiri expressed confidence Pimentel and Gordon "will survive this attack on their integrity and capability to carry out the mandates of their offices."

"Their mettle as lawmakers have been tested and as mature politicians they both display what it takes to face the challenges head on. I have full trust and confidence in them to continue on in their current positions," said Zubiri, a member of the majority bloc.

"They are doing their jobs well and I see no need to replace them," he added.

Trillanes earlier said he would work for Pimentel's ouster from the Senate helm if Gordon would remain chairman of the blue ribbon committee which investigates anomalies in government.

Trillanes has been complaining about Gordon's handling of his panel's hearings which he said had compromised the Senate's independence.

At least 13 votes from the 23-member Senate are needed to remove Pimentel and install a new Senate president which Lacson said would be "extremely improbable" since the majority bloc remained supportive of Pimentel.

Pimentel is one of the officials of President Rodrigo Duterte' PDP-Laban party, of which Zubiri is also currently a member.