The minority bloc’s attempt to unseat Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has failed, following a tense session in the Senate on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Sotto confirmed that the coup attempt led by Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano was thwarted.
“[It’s] the majority not me. [It’s] always the majority who decides,” Sotto said, stressing that the decision rested with the majority bloc.
Although Sotto did not provide details on how the move was blocked, he expressed confidence that no further attempts would be made in the coming weeks.
“Most probably, ang leadership sa Senate always ongoing,” he added.
Prior to the failed coup, Senator Loren Legarda’s name surfaced as a possible replacement for Sotto, reportedly gaining support from 13 senators.
Despite this, Legarda—who belongs to the majority bloc—was notably absent from a caucus convened by Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri to discuss the draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on flood control anomalies.
Those present at the majority caucus included Sotto, Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian, Erwin Tulfo, and Bam Aquino.