An attempt to install Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate leader collapsed just before Monday’s plenary session after failing to secure the absolute majority required to unseat current Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
The fast-moving plot reportedly garnered the commitment of 11 lawmakers—just two votes shy of the 13-vote minimum mandated by the rules of the 24-member chamber.
Insiders revealed that nearly a dozen senators gravitated toward Gatchalian due to his collaborative leadership style, deep understanding of the national budget process, and potential to introduce sweeping legislative reforms. Gatchalian recently chaired the powerful Senate Finance Committee from July 2025 until all committee chairmanships were declared vacant on May 11.
However, the leadership bid reached an internal impasse when former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reportedly insisted on reclaiming the top post himself rather than backing Gatchalian.
According to sources privy to the negotiations, Escudero’s personal ambitions ultimately prevented the coalition from securing the decisive numbers needed to end Cayetano’s weeklong tenure. Escudero, who effectively holds the sway over two other senators, refused to deliver the crucial swing votes unless he was installed as the chamber chief.
The failed coup highlights the volatile dynamics within the upper chamber following the surprise May 11 reorganization. Cayetano secured the Senate presidency last week through a 13-senator coalition that unseated Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Following that shakeup, the Senate minority bloc, now led by Sotto, has expanded to 11 members after Senators Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and JV Ejercito chose to declare themselves independent and formally cross over to the minority.