He may have resigned from the Senate but Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday vowed to stage a comeback in 2013.

“This is a temporary setback, I will come back with a bang,” Zubiri told the DAILY STAR in a phone interview yesterday.

Zubiri, who resigned from the Senate Wednesday, is arriving in Negros Occidental today to further explain to his fellow Negrenses the reason for his actions and to thank them for their support.

Bacolod City officials yesterday lauded Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s statesmanship, although they were saddened that his resignation will leave Bacolod and Negros with no voice in the Senate.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he had mixed feelings when he first heard about Zubiri’s resignation. He said he was surprised and amazed but it was statesmanship in the highest form.

“Wherever this may lead to, we have to give him credit for his moral courage which I hope will become our standard and model in public service,” Leonardia said.

Murder charges were filed against the suspect in the killing of  Ilog town Councilor Antonio “Karem” Gequillana Jr. before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

The charges were filed against Ryan Gatoc, 31, of Brgy. 1, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Bacolod police director,  Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, said.

Bacolod City Prosecutor Emmanuel Lupisan, however, ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to release Gatoc as his apprehension could no longer fall under a warrantless arrest since the shooting of Gequillana occurred  on July 27, while Gatoc was arrested on August 2.