Despite the confidence of the nine-member minority bloc that the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte will not reach the upper chamber, reports have surfaced of a strategic move to overhaul the Senate leadership.
The minority bloc, led by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, is allegedly moving to oust Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. The move is reportedly aimed at ensuring the Senate does not convene as an impeachment court.
Under Senate rules, a minimum of 13 votes is required to unseat a sitting Senate President.
Sources indicate that the minority is currently wooing Senators Mark and Camille Villar, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Senator Loren Legarda. Efforts are also reportedly underway to convince Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to attend the session to secure the necessary numbers to depose Sotto.
The move comes as a direct response to Sotto’s firm stance on constitutional duty. In previous interviews, the Senate President insisted that once the articles of impeachment are transmitted from the House, he will immediately convene the chamber as a court.
However, some colleagues remain skeptical of the coup’s success. Senators Erwin Tulfo and Win Gatchalian have both expressed confidence that Sotto’s leadership remains secure and that no such change will take place.