MANILA, Philippines — In a swift and dramatic power shift, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as the new Senate President on Monday afternoon, May 11, 2026, successfully unseating Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. The leadership change occurred just as the House of Representatives was set to vote on the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, a move many observers link to the shifting political alliances in the chamber.
The “coup” succeeded with a vote of 13-9, with two abstentions, ending Sotto’s eight-month tenure.
The motion to declare all leadership positions vacant was initiated by Senator Joel Villanueva, leading to a two-way race between Cayetano (nominated by Senator Imee Marcos) and Sotto (nominated by Senator Panfilo Lacson).
| Vote | Senators |
| For Cayetano (13) | Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Camille Villar. |
| For Sotto (9) | Tito Sotto, Bam Aquino, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, and Raffy Tulfo. |
| Abstention (2) | Juan Miguel Zubiri and JV Ejercito. |
A pivotal moment during the session was the unexpected appearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who had been absent from the Senate for approximately six months since November 2025.
- The Manifestation: Cayetano informed the chamber mid-session that Dela Rosa was “in the building” and ready to vote, providing the 13th vote needed to secure the majority.
- Protective Custody: Immediately following the leadership change, the Senate voted to place Dela Rosa under protective custody due to ongoing concerns regarding a reported arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The timing of the coup is significant, as Cayetano will now preside over the Senate Impeachment Court if the House transmits the articles against VP Sara Duterte.
- Cayetano’s Stance: In his inaugural speech as Senate President, Cayetano denied that the coup was solely about the impeachment. “May mga lumalabas na ang pagpalit ng leadership ay tungkol sa impeachment, hindi po,” he stated, promising that the process would be based on evidence rather than political affiliation.
- Sotto’s Response: The ousted Senate President maintained a graceful exit, stating he serves at the “pleasure of his colleagues,” but noted that it would be “embarrassing” for the Senate if a full trial is not conducted.
- New Majority: The new “Duterte-aligned” majority now holds the key leadership posts, with Senator Loren Legarda being reinstalled as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Simultaneously, the House of Representatives officially approved the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte with 257 votes. These articles are expected to be transmitted to the Cayetano-led Senate within the week, setting the stage for one of the most high-profile legal battles in Philippine history.