Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as the new Senate president after defeating Vicente Sotto III in a 13-9 vote during a major leadership shakeup in the Senate.
Following the vote, Loren Legarda was sworn in as Senate president pro tempore, replacing Panfilo Lacson.
The leadership overhaul began after a motion to vacate Senate leadership posts and was followed by several senators shifting support to Cayetano’s camp.
Malacañang acknowledged the Senate’s decision, while political observers speculated that the sudden change in leadership was linked to efforts to prevent a possible impeachment trial involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senators who backed Cayetano included Imee Marcos, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, and the Villar siblings, while several others, including Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros, voted to retain Sotto.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 12, 2026
