Zubiri said he decided to resign “not because I am exhausted from the demands of my calling as a legislator nor to evade the decision of the Senatorial Electoral Tribunal” but due to “these unfounded accusations against me.”


”These issues have systematically divided our nation and cast doubts in our electoral system which has affected not only myself, this Institution but the public as well,” he added.


Zubiri said that as a legislator, he would not allow the honor and integrity of the Senate to be tainted with allegations that he cheated his way to the Philippine Senate.


”No amount of power, position or wealth is worth sacrificing one’s honor and integrity,” he stressed.


”I would be doing an injustice to my fellowmen and to this great and honored Institution if I continue working half-heartedly and without full concentration and devotion,” Zubiri added.


Zubiri also said that he resigned to spare his family from intrigues even as he denied any involvement in the alleged 2007 election fraud.


”I did not cheat nor ask anyone to cheat for me and my family. We would never tolerate any form of electoral fraud,” he said.


”I am not the only one who feels the hurt because of the personal attacks against me and my family. I could feel how my wife has had sleepless nights, my father, my mother, who has undergone two major brain operations and is now constantly suffering physically and emotionally, together with my siblings who have been hurt and affected by such unfounded and baseless accusations,” Zubiri added.


Zubiri said he was “falsely accused” by the allegations of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and former Maguindanao election officer Lintang Bedol that he benefitted from the alleged election cheating in 2007 when he ran under the administration ticket of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.


”And in this August Chamber, without admitting any fault and with my vehement denial of the alleged electoral fraud hurled against me, I am submitting my resignation as a duly-elected senator of the Republic of the Philippines in the election for which I am falsely accused without mercy and compassion,” Zubiri said.


As a senator for four years starting from the 14th Congress, Zubiri said he “labored diligently and persistently,” resulting in the passage of 32 laws which he has sponsored, principally authored, co-sponsored and/or authored, including Republic Act No. 9502 or the Cheaper Medicines Act which he authored.


Zubiri, who served as the youngest ever Senate Majority Floor leader at age 39, also helped steer the chamber in a record-breaking performance of passing 651 laws during the 14th Congress.


He has been hailed as the “Father of the Cooperative Code,” “Mr. Biofuels,” “Eco Warrior” and “Champion of Biodiversity,” being the chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources as well as committee on cooperatives.


Zubiri, who is from Bukidnon in Mindanao, became the first senator in the Senate history to voluntarily leave his post.


He expressed his appreciation to his colleagues, specially Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile whom he described as his mentor throughout his four years of service in the Philippine Senate.


With the resignation of Zubiri, the members of the Philippines Senate has been reduced to 22, as another member of the chamber, Senator Benigno Aquino III, was elected President of the Philippines during the May 2010 national elections.


Completing the 24 members of the Philippine Senate are: Enrile, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senators Joker Arroyo, Teofisto Guingona III, Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan, Francis Pangilinan, Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Sergio Osmena III, Antonio Trillanes IV, Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ralph Recto, Miriam Defensor- Santiago, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ramon Revilla Jr. and Edgardo Angara.


Family members in attendance were Zubiri’s wife Audrey and children, his father, Bukidnon Vice Governor Jose Zubiri along with his mother and sisters and brothers, including Malaybalay City Mayor Inyaki Zubiri.


Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda and Senator Richard Gordon were also among those in attendance. (PNA) 
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<a href="http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=363732" target="_blank" class="news_link">Source: Philippine News Agency</a>

Zubiri resigns as senator for the sake of family, honor and country