A servant of the public, a leader of the people: Juan Miguel Zubiri

Tatler Asia's Most Influential 2022 lister, Juan Miguel Zubiri, answers Tatler's questions on his big role as a Senate President

Juan Miguel F Zubiri: son, husband, father, legislator, politician, and Senate President. His long career in public service of over 20 years and being a Senate Majority Leader of the last two congresses earned him his reputation as one of the notable leaders we have today. Otherwise "Migz", apart from his exceptional track record, Zubiri is highly respected for the economic measures he passed that have kept the Philippines in a skyward direction.

In case you missed it: From controversy to redemption: Senator Miguel Zubiri speaks out

Below, Tatler provides a platform for Zubiri to inspire his fellow Filipinos.

What are your projects in the last two years that you are most proud of? Why?

Juan Miguel Zubiri (JMZ): Coming from Mindanao, I am most proud of the law I authored and sponsored, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which has paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The region has long been plagued by armed conflict, so as a Mindanaoan legislator, I was determined to push BOL in the Congress, as our political tool to achieve genuine peace. Since its passage, we have not seen any major conflict in the region, and I hope that the BOL will continue to pave the way for lasting peace and development in Muslim Mindanao.

As Senate Majority Leader in the last two Congresses, I am proud to say that we have passed a series of economic measures that have kept the country on an upward trajectory of growth by raising our competitiveness and strengthening our viability for foreign investments. Climbing out of this pandemic, we’re now seeing a 6.5 per cent GDP growth. I think some of the credit goes to laws such as the Ease of Doing Business Act, the Public Services Act, the Foreign Investments Act, the Retail Trade Liberalisation Act, and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives Act, which brings our corporate income taxes down, at rates comparable to our ASEAN neighbours.

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

JMZ: We are still on the long road of post-pandemic recovery, and we continue to work on laws that will set affected industries back on their feet, particularly our micro-, small-, and medium enterprises and our tourism sector. We continue to craft laws to strengthen the country's economy as we face the possible global recession. Doing so can we protect our people from being hard hit by the volatile global market.

Also read: Alice Eduardo on leading Santa Elena Construction Corporation by example

Who do you look up to for guidance, inspiration, or mentorship?

JMZ: My dad. Seeing his example as a dedicated public servant was instrumental in my desire to enter public service. He instilled service into my life and heart at a young age. He taught us that everything we do, we must do for others, and I try to live up to his example to this day. I also owe a lot to Senator Edgardo J Angara, my mentor in the Senate. Everything I know about being a good legislator, I learned from him. He taught me that the best legacy we can leave behind are the laws we pass for our people's benefit.

What are your plans for the coming years and what keeps you going?

JMZ: All my plans are tied to my role as Senate President. I intend to lead a Senate that is responsive to the needs of our people, with effective legislation for job creation, poverty reduction, and economic growth. And we will steer the Senate to prioritise laws that bring genuine social development. These include better healthcare, better education and better livelihood opportunities for our people, and better climate action on our country. It’s a tough job, as I had expected. Fortunately, I have my family to keep me going. I look at my kids and I remember why I’m in public service. . .why I keep fighting for my advocacies. Everything I do is to make sure that I leave the world a better place for my children and other people’s children.

What can you say to those who'd like to follow in your footsteps?

JMZ: You have to have many reserves of patience and perseverance. And you cannot let setbacks put you down if you are driven by real passion. After my first term in the Senate, I resigned due to questions about the legitimacy of my electoral win. I ran and lost in the elections after, and I thought I’d never enter public service again. But for the people who believed in my ability and selfless desire to serve the country, I ran again, won, and became Majority Leader twice. And now, I am serving as the Senate President. If I quitted after my loss, I wouldn’t be here. So I would say that you have to be able to pick yourself back up, learn from your experiences, and persevere.

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