PASAY CITY—The Senate of the Philippines once again witnessed a dramatic change of events as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano ascended to the Senate Presidency this Monday, May 11, after a decisive 13-9 vote unseated veteran lawmaker Vicente Sotto III. 

The leadership shakeup, supported by a coalition of high-profile allies including Senators Imee Marcos and Robinhood Padilla, effectively shifts the chamber's power dynamic. 

Despite two abstentions from Senators JV Ejercito and Juan Miguel Zubiri, the majority successfully installed Cayetano to lead the upper house, signaling an immediate pivot in the legislative agenda.

The vote was marked by the controversial participation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who cast his support for Cayetano despite a six-month absence from Senate sessions. 

While Sotto’s bloc—bolstered by stalwarts like Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros—mounted a firm "No" vote, they were ultimately unable to overcome the 13-member majority. 

The new Senate President urged his colleagues in his acceptance speech, to unite for the Filipino people 

“We want to be free from poverty. We want to be free from corruption. We want to be free from a government that is busy fighting its own people or the people fighting each other. Hindi ito social media na bawat minuto ay nagbabangayan. In real life, we have to be here with each other,” the Senate President said.

This swift transition marks the end of Sotto’s tenure and consolidates Cayetano’s influence over the Senate floor as the new session gains momentum.

Here’s the exact tally of votes in the Senate change of leadership:

‍

YES VOTES

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano

Senator Pia Cayetano

Senator Rodante Marcoleta

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go

Senator Robinhood Padilla

Senator Loren Legarda

Senator Imee Marcos

Senator Camille Villar

Senator Mark Villar

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa

Senator Joel Villanueva

Senator Jinggoy Estrada

Senator Francis Escudero

‍

ABSTAIN

Senator JV Ejercito

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri

‍

NO VOTES

Senator Vicente Sotto III

Senator Panfilo Lacson

Senator Francis Pangilinan

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Senator Bam Aquino

Senator Lito Lapid

Senator Raffy Tulfo

Senator Erwin Tulfo

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian