THE Senate officially reopened at exactly 10 a.m. with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri banging the gavel with the 23 senators present.

Senator Pilar Pia Cayetano was the only one absent during the opening as she led the Philippine delegation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Zubiri, who maintained his post as the Senate chief in the 19th Congress, despite rumors of possible change of leadership, shrugged off coup rumors in the Senate saying there is so much work to do under his leadership.

“Maraming trabaho na dapat namin gawin and we are too busy para patulan po ang mga ganyang issue,” Zubiri told People’s Journal in an ambush interview.

According to the Senate Chief, the recent survey shows that the Filipino people are satisfied and he considered the result of the survey as an inspiration to work harder and do better.

The session only lasted 30 minutes with no contention from other senators nor any disagreement despite the alleged reported dissatisfaction by some of his colleagues primarily because of his constitutional reform stance.

Zubiri said he is willing to go down and let go of his leadership if his colleagues have no more trust for him to lead the Senate.

“If the majority say so, I will not insist on staying in this position.

We are here to serve the people and the majority in the Senate will decide who must lead them,” Zubiri, who was able to remain as Senate President, said.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said the supermajority in the Senate echoed one voice in supporting Zubiri.

Villanueva, who is presently the majority floor leader, clarified that Zubiri has the backing of all senators because of his good leadership.

Villanueva said Zubiri has been working really hard and the super majority in the Senate recognized his efforts as they expressed strong support for his leadership.

Earlier, Senator Jose Jinggoy Estrada denied the rumor that he is replacing Zubiri as well as those committee chairmanship under the present leadership.