Comebacking Senator Migs Zubiri takes oath before Bukidnon barangay captain
Returning Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri took his oath June 4, 2016 before the captain of Barangay 5, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, considered the smallest barangay in the entire Province of Bukidnon. Barangay Captain Rumel Castilla, Sr. administered the oath before a packed audience at the Kaamulan Open Theater. Zubiri took his oath alongside his wife Audrey, his father, re-elected Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma., and his cousin, re-elected Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio.
READ: Covering the oathtaking ceremony in Bukidnon
Zubiri, who ran as guest senatorial candidate under both Jejomar Binay’s UNA Campaign and Grace Poe’s Gobyernong May Puso teams, placed 6th in the final tally of winners, with over 16 million votes.
In his oathtaking speech, Zubiri called the recently concluded campaign as “one for the books.” He also said that he personally chose Bukidnon as the venue of his oathtaking because it is “a place that symbolizes the kind of service and leadership I will offer in the Senate.”
He also hinted full support for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on federalism. “I will lead the fight for greater representation of your interests in the Senate or in a new democratic set-up, like a Federal State, that people are clamoring for.”
Zubiri also vowed to frequently return to Bukidnon.
Zubiri started his political career as Bukidnon’s 3rd District representative. In 2007, he first ran for the Senate and won. However, he resigned in 2011 following allegations of electoral fraud. He ran in 2013 but lost. At the time, he was quoted as saying that he will quit from politics and will just concentrate on being a father and entrepreneur. He said that controversies surrounding the Senate, PDAF public funds and even frequent absences of congressmen made him change his mind.
READ: Full text of the oathtaking speech of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
Aside from Zubiri, the newly-elected Bukidnon governor, vice governor, board members, mayors and vice mayors also took their oaths of office that day.
An open-to-the-public food and drinks buffet was also served after the ceremony.
Click here for more photos and behind-the-scenes stories during the oathtaking ceremony.
Watch this video:
