Zubiri on 2016 plans

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- Defeated senatorial candidate Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri said he will either run again for senator in 2016, or just help in the campaign for the presidential bid of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

"If Binay wins, hopefully he will give me an executive position," said Zubiri, who was in Bacolod last week, adding that he has no plans of running for a local post in his province Bukidnon where his father won as governor.

Zubiri, who ranked 14th in the latest elections with about 11.7 million votes, challenged the new senators to perform well.

"Prove your worth, now it's payback time. Deliver your promises to the people," Zubiri said, citing his track record as a senator from 2007 until he resigned in 2011, for being the author of significant bills such as the Biofuels Act, the Renewable Energy Act, and the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

In his first press conference after the May 13 elections, Zubiri thanked the people of Negros Occidental for his votes in this province was his "best showing outside Mindanao."

Zubiri, with roots in Kabankalan and Bacolod cities, got 402,210 votes in Negros Occidental to rank 5th among the senatorial bets, and 93,666 votes in Bacolod that put him 8th in the rankings.

"I owe you (Negrenses) all a debt of gratitude that a lifetime would never be able to repay," said Zubiri who also placed number one in at least eight towns and cities in Negros Occidental.

He also challenged the winning officials and the sugar bloc to lobby in the Senate to have mitigating measures in preparation for 2015 when the sugar industry starts to face a crisis with the eventual collapse of its tariff walls.

Even as private citizen, Zubiri assured Negrenses that he will still be supportive of the plans and programs for Negros Occidental, especially for the development of the sugar industry.

For now, Zubiri said he will return to private life and he will concentrate on his businesses like ice plants and gas stations.

He told the local media the 2013 elections made him more spiritual. "I believe that if God wanted me to be a senator, he would have made me a senator," he said, referring to the 2013 elections.  (FREEMAN)