Cayetano replaces Sotto in Senate presidency seat ahead of VP Duterte’s impeachment

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano becomes the new Senate President following the overthrow of Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III from the seat, just in time for the lower House’s impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte today.

The sudden shift of leadership occurred after Sotto received 13 affirmative votes in favor of his ousting, while 10 rejected.

Sen. Imee Marcos then nominated Cayetano to the position, receiving 13 affirmative votes, 9 rejects, and 2 abstentions.

Most senators who voted for Cayetano are known supporters of the Duterte clan. 

Cayetano took the oath immediately after the declaration of leadership with his sister Senator Pia Cayetano and his wife, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

The new Senate President claimed that what transpired today was not related to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Let me make it very clear, may mga lumabas sa news and hindi ko kayo sinisisi [kung ano ang] sinasabi niyo sa news na ang pagpalit ng leadership ay tungkol sa impeachment, hindi po. The impeachment is enshrined in the Constitution,” he cleared. 

Sen. Bong Go said before the coup that Duterte-allied senators did not discuss blocking the trial against Duterte, where the House of Representatives should vote on whether she will be impeached.

“It’s our mandate ‘no? Obligasyon naman natin ‘to. Kaya nga po tayo may Constitution na dapat sundin. Wala pong ganoong usapan at hindi ho kami nag-uusap na maghaharang po ng convening,” he said. 

Meanwhile, ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima reacted to the leadership change, saying that the timing seems to follow the impeachment proceedings of Duterte.

“Ang tindi ng timing. Taumbayan ang huhusga,” she said.

The Senate will convene as the Impeachment Court in the following days after the lower chamber votes to impeach the Vice President.