Gordon, Zubiri reclaim Senate seats, vow to back Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Senators-elect Richard "Dick" Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri are set to return to the Upper House with vows to support presumptive president Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte.

Addressing reporters before the proclamation ceremony on Tuesday, Gordon, who ran independently said he will support Duterte's legislative priorities.

"I will support President Rodrigo on his initiatives, particularly on education, trade, economic development, peace and order among others. I trust that with him being a lawyer, he will uphold justice and peace and order," Gordon said.

Gordon said that foremost in his legislative agenda is to raise the salary of teachers, develop the agricultural sector, generate jobs infrastructure, expand railway system, promote peace and order, and spur development in Mindanao and other provinces.

He noted that his priority bills are aligned with Duterte's pronounced policies.

Zubiri, who stepped down from his Senate post in 2011 amid poll fraud allegations, said he is positive about Duterte's promises of change.

"This is the first time in the history of the Philippines na ang ating pangulo ay galing po sa Mindanao. Siya po ay nangako ng pagbabago. Tulungan po natin siya sa pagbabagong iyon," Zubiri said at a press conference after the proclamation ceremony.

He said the Senate will not return to "business as usual" if change has to be achieved.

"We should now not compromise the fight for what is good for the Filipino people. Iyan ang gusto ng taumbayan sa atin na hindi po business as usual, pagbabago," Zubiri said.

Zubiri said among the changes he will support are the alleviation of poverty and the transition to a federal state.

While admitting that the change of government system to federal would be controversial, Zubiri said federalism will promote efficiency and stop complacency in areas which will only look to a federal leader to blame.

"It's still up for discussion and it's exciting times for the country. Hinalal po ang ating pangulo, pangulong Duterte ng  16 million votes with the promise of  political change. Dapat hingiin po natin iyan sa kanya, pero sa ngayon kailangan tulungan po natin siya," Zubiri said.

Gordon and Zubiri ranked fifth and sixth with 16,719,322 and 16,119,165 votes, respectively.