Reports of another possible Senate leadership change are resurfacing just days after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano assumed the Senate presidency.
According to a Politiko report, several senators are allegedly uneasy with Cayetano’s leadership style and are questioning whether he can unify the chamber during the remaining years of the Marcos administration.
“The prevailing sentiment is simple: anybody but Alan,” a source was quoted as saying in the report.
“He’s not particularly well-liked by many of his colleagues, and he’s not viewed as a consensus builder — something Malacañang needs at this stage to move key legislation,” the source added.
Cayetano replaced former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on May 11 after securing 13 votes from senators, including the surprise participation of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who resurfaced after months away from public view.
Dela Rosa’s appearance came amid controversies surrounding the International Criminal Court arrest warrant linked to alleged crimes against humanity tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Despite Cayetano’s recent installation, sources claimed discussions are already ongoing within the Senate regarding another possible leadership coup that could reportedly happen as early as Monday.
Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is reportedly among the names being floated as a possible replacement for Cayetano.
Other names allegedly being discussed include Sotto and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
The report also said Malacañang is supposedly considering Senator Francis Pangilinan as a compromise candidate amid the approaching impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senator Francis Escudero’s name also surfaced in discussions, although some lawmakers were reportedly hesitant because of his alleged ties to the flood control controversy during his leadership stint.
The latest rumors further deepen uncertainty inside the Senate as political tensions continue to rise following Duterte’s impeachment at the House of Representatives and the ongoing ICC-related controversy involving dela Rosa.
