SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano insisted on Monday that he continues to be the legitimate Senate President and is the only official authorized to preside over the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking during an impromptu press briefing at the Senate, Cayetano argued that the bloc led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian lacks the required number of votes to amend the rules governing the impeachment court, making their leadership changes invalid. “As soon as they have 13, walang problema, sila na,” he said, emphasizing that until then, his claim to the position remains legally sound.
He stressed that his fight is not about holding on to power personally, but about protecting the independence of the Senate from what he described as external influence.
“Pinaglalaban ko hindi yung si Alan Cayetano as Senate president; pinaglalaban ko, ang Senado hindi pwedeng rubber stamp ng Malacañang. Hindi pwedeng hindi independent yung Senate,” Cayetano stated firmly. He maintained that recent adjustments to the Senate’s internal rules and session schedules were carried out illegally, and he will continue to assert his authority while awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court to settle the leadership dispute.
To ensure the process moves forward without disruption, Cayetano said he has already sent a formal letter to Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales, directing that the impeachment calendar be strictly followed. Under the current timeline, the Notice of Pre‑Trial is scheduled to be issued on June 9, officially marking the start of pre‑trial proceedings. Cayetano emphasized that this schedule must be respected, regardless of the ongoing political tussle within the upper chamber, to uphold the Senate’s constitutional mandate.
Meanwhile, Senator Gatchalian has maintained his own position as acting head of the Senate, declaring that he will preside over the impeachment trial as the chamber’s legitimate leader. He previously stated that under the new leadership, all senator‑judges may be required to retake their oath of office before the impeachment court can formally proceed. The conflicting claims now place the Senate in a complex standoff, with two rival groups asserting authority over both the chamber’s operations and the high‑profile trial against the Vice President.
