Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected the new Senate president on Monday after 13 senators voted to unseat Vicente Tito Sotto III. The change occurred shortly after the start of the session amid the House's impending impeachment vote against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Cayetano, previously the minority leader, informed colleagues that at least 13 members sought a leadership change and noted the arrival of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, whose vote proved decisive. The Senate then approved a motion to declare all seats vacant by a 13-10 vote, with one abstention, before electing Cayetano.
Cayetano stated in his inaugural speech that the leadership shift was not aimed at blocking the impeachment trial. He emphasized that the process must follow constitutional rules and not rely on political affiliations or lack of evidence, adding that the Senate itself faces public scrutiny.
The new majority bloc included Senators Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Camille and Mark Villar, Robinhood Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Bong Go, Francis Escudero, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, and dela Rosa. Sotto's allies, including Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan, expressed reservations but acknowledged lacking the numbers.
