Lawyer Jose Luis Montales officially took his oath on Monday as the new Senate Secretary, replacing Mark Llandro “Dong” Mendoza, who stepped down from the post just a week after the installation of Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President.
The transition comes amid an escalating leadership crisis and widening divisions within the upper chamber following the ouster of now-Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, alongside preparations for the high-profile impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Senate President Cayetano confirmed earlier that day that Mendoza had formally offered to step down following a high-stakes security incident last May 13.
“He (Mendoza) actually handed me a written resignation,” Cayetano said in a press briefing.
Cayetano disclosed that Mendoza informed him of his intention to quit shortly after the resignation of the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms. Despite the written manifestation, the Senate chief explicitly asked Mendoza to remain in office.
“I told him I want him around,” Cayetano said.
While reports indicated that several Senate officials left the premises during the shooting incidents on Wednesday, May 13, Cayetano praised Mendoza for maintaining his post during the security scare.
“He could have gone home Wednesday night nung marami nagtsitsismisan na umuwi na kayo or marami nagte-text-san na umuwi na kayo, but he stayed,” Cayetano said.
(“He could have gone home Wednesday night when many were gossiping, ‘you should go home,’ or many were texting each other, ‘go home,’ but he stayed.”)
Under Senate rules, at least 13 votes from the 24-member chamber are required to elect a new Senate Secretary. Montales, who previously served as House Secretary General during Cayetano’s tenure as House Speaker, now takes over the crucial administrative role.
The Senate Secretary plays a central role in the chamber’s day-to-day operations, serving as the custodian of official records, legislative documents, communications, and the journal of proceedings. The position also oversees the preparation of the Senate agenda, the transmittal of bills and resolutions, and the authentication of all official actions taken by the chamber.