By Benny Reyes
MANILA — Fresh political tensions have emerged in the Senate after Alan Peter Cayetano disclosed alleged attempts to reorganize the chamber’s leadership only days after his election as Senate President.
Speaking in an interview reported by 24 Oras, Cayetano claimed that some lawmakers belonging to the majority coalition have been contacted and allegedly threatened in connection with a possible move to replace him next week.
Despite the reported pressure, Cayetano brushed off the development as part of the country’s political landscape and expressed confidence that the majority bloc would remain intact.
The new Senate majority, composed of 13 senators, voted earlier this week to replace former Senate President Vicente Sotto III with Cayetano.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a member of the majority coalition, said he was not surprised by the reported moves, adding that some political groups were still trying to reverse the leadership change.
The Senate minority has yet to publicly respond to the statements made by Cayetano and his allies.