Less than a month after a leadership change rocked the Senate, rumors are once again circulating about another possible shake-up — this time allegedly aimed at unseating Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
According to reports, a supposed “coup” is being quietly planned within the upper chamber, with Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said to be eyeing the top post.
Sources claim that Cayetano’s camp has been working behind the scenes to win over several so-called “soft votes” from the majority bloc. Among those reportedly being courted are Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, siblings Senators Camille and Mark Villar, and Senator Pia Cayetano — who happens to be the minority leader’s sister.
Neither Sotto nor Cayetano has issued any statement on the matter as of this writing.
However, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a known ally of Sotto, dismissed the alleged coup rumors, describing them as nothing new.
“Not true,” Lacson said briefly, calling it an “old gimmick” that tends to resurface from time to time.
Whether this rumored power play will materialize remains uncertain, but the talk of another leadership change has once again stirred intrigue within the halls of the Senate.