Former foreign affairs secretary and veteran legislator replaces Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as the Senate prepares for possible impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
MANILA — Alan Peter Cayetano was elected Senate president on Monday, May 11, after senators voted to reorganize the chamber’s leadership in a development that immediately reshaped the political landscape ahead of possible impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Senate voted 13-9-2 to elevate Cayetano to the chamber’s top post after lawmakers approved a motion declaring Senate leadership positions vacant. Vicente Sotto III, who had led the Senate since September 2025, lost the leadership contest and later assumed the role of minority leader.
Juan Miguel Zubiri and JV Ejercito abstained from the voting process.
The leadership transition unfolded on the same day the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Duterte, formally moving the process toward the Senate, which under the Constitution serves as an impeachment court once articles are transmitted.
Duterte has denied allegations cited in the impeachment complaint and has publicly challenged the accusations raised against her.
Senators reported to have supported Cayetano included Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Mark Villar, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Rodante Marcoleta.
The session also drew attention because Ronald dela Rosa appeared publicly in the Senate for the first time in months and participated in the closely watched leadership vote.
Cayetano, 55, is among the country’s most prominent national political figures, having served in both the legislative and executive branches over the past two decades. He previously served as secretary of foreign affairs under former President Rodrigo Duterte before later becoming speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2020.
He was also Duterte’s vice presidential running mate during the 2016 national elections.
Born into a prominent political family, Cayetano is the son of the late senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano and the brother of Pia Cayetano. A lawyer by profession, he studied at Ateneo de Manila University before entering public service.
Following his election, Cayetano called for unity within the Senate and said lawmakers must focus on economic concerns, geopolitical developments and institutional stability.
The chamber reorganization also elevated Loren Legarda as Senate president pro tempore and Joel Villanueva as majority leader.
Under Philippine law, the Senate assumes the role of an impeachment court after the House formally transmits articles of impeachment. As Senate president, Cayetano would oversee key procedural aspects of any trial proceedings should the case move forward.
