MANILA – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has been elected Senate President following a leadership shake-up in the upper chamber on Monday, after senators voted to declare all top positions vacant, effectively ending the term of Vicente Sotto III.
A majority of senators supported the motion to vacate all leadership posts, with 13 voting in favor and 10 opposing it. The decision paved the way for Cayetano’s return to the Senate presidency.
Lawmakers who voted in favor of the leadership change included Senators Pia Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Robinhood Padilla, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Mark Villar, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Francis Escudero, alongside Alan Peter Cayetano.
Senators JV Ejercito and Juan Miguel Zubiri abstained from voting, while those who opposed the motion included Sotto, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
The change in Senate leadership came amid heightened political tensions linked to efforts in the House of Representatives to pursue the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, a matter that could eventually reach the Senate for trial if formal Articles of Impeachment are transmitted.
Before the vote, Cayetano informed colleagues that at least 13 senators were already aligned in support of a leadership transition. He also noted that Senator Ronald dela Rosa was present inside the Senate complex but had not immediately appeared in the session hall due to security concerns.
Dela Rosa’s return drew attention, as he had largely stayed away from the chamber in recent months following reports of a possible International Criminal Court warrant tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“I kindly inform and apologize to the Senate President that for security reasons I could not go up to you earlier,” Cayetano said during the session, adding that he sought an orderly and respectful transition.
Cayetano also expressed gratitude to Sotto, describing him as a statesman despite past political differences.
“You’ve always been a statesman, at least to me,” he said.
Sotto had served as Senate President of the 20th Congress since September 8, 2025.
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