In a swift and decisive turn of events, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as the new President of the Senate on Monday, May 11, marking a major leadership transition amid a backdrop of intensifying political challenges.
The reorganization began when 13 senators voted to declare all leadership positions vacant, effectively unseating Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who had held the post since September 2025.
Cayetano subsequently secured the necessary 13 votes to take the helm, with nine senators voting against and two abstaining.
In his acceptance speech, Cayetano urged his colleagues to set aside political friction to address the nation’s economic and geopolitical concerns, including the rising cost of living and global tensions.
“In the Senate, we might not like each other, but I think we can work with each other and we can love each other,” Cayetano said, emphasizing a call for unity. “We might not feel the crisis here in the session hall, but our people — may it be the Grab drivers, tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers… ramdam na ramdam na nila.”
The leadership shift comes at a critical time, as the House of Representatives moves forward with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
While some have speculated that the Senate shakeup is linked to the impeachment efforts, Cayetano denied that the transition was driven by such political maneuvering.
“May mga lumabas sa news… na ang dahilan [ng pagpapalit] ay impeachment,” Cayetano remarked, downplaying claims that the change was a strategic move related to the Vice President’s looming trial.
This transition marks the third change in Senate leadership within two years. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero led the chamber from May 2024 until he was unseated by Sotto in September 2025.
With Cayetano now at the helm, the Senate is expected to enter a new phase of reorganization across its various committees.