Several senators are reportedly setting aside their political differences and crossing party lines to end the weeklong leadership of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, aiming to restore order and dignity to the 24-member chamber.
According to multiple reports, members of the upper house were deeply disturbed by the tumultuous events that unfolded following the dramatic reappearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. After going incommunicado for six months, Dela Rosa suddenly resurfaced at the Senate to help oust now-Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as Senate president and install Cayetano as his successor.
Following the leadership shakeup, Dela Rosa holed himself up inside the Senate building to evade agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), who were deployed to enforce an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Armed Standoff Sparks Backlash
The tension-filled episode culminated in a shooting incident involving acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca and an NBI agent, who was reportedly positioned near the adjacent Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building.
Sources revealed that the chaotic spectacle has caused internal fractures, with at least two senators allied with Cayetano privately acknowledging the urgent need to repair the Senate’s “damaged public image.”
Contenders for the Gavel
As consensus builds to replace Cayetano, several names have emerged to take over the Senate leadership. Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who abstained during the initial leadership vote, is among those being floated to retake the chamber’s top post. Zubiri previously served as Senate president at the opening of the 19th Congress in July 2022 before he was ousted by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in May 2024.
Other lawmakers being considered for the Senate presidency include Sotto and Senator Win Gatchalian.
Meanwhile, Malacañang is reportedly interested in positioning Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as the next leader of the upper chamber, ahead of the highly anticipated impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.