A BLOC of 12 senators calling themselves the “new majority” announced on Wednesday that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has ceased to hold the position of Senate President, following a move to declare all leadership posts in the chamber vacant.
In a joint statement, the group clarified the legal basis of their action, noting that the session proceeded with a quorum established under the standards set in the landmark Avelino v. Cuenco case, which recognizes a base membership of 22 in the Senate.
“For clarity, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant, including the presidency of the institution,” the statement read.
The group, led by Senate President Pro-tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, also addressed the current status of the leadership transition, explaining that while positions are now vacant, a new Senate President has yet to be formally elected due to constitutional requirements.
“Hindi pa lamang naihahalal si Senator Win Gatchalian bilang bagong Senate President dahil kailangan pa ng 13 boto sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon. Pero ito ang malinaw at mahalaga ngayon: bakante na ang lahat ng posisyon, tapos na ang dating liderato at dapat magpatuloy ang trabaho ng Senado para sa taumbayan,” they said.
Aside from Gatchalian, the members of the bloc include Senators Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Francis Pangilinan, Francis Escudero, Bam Aquino, Lito Lapid, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, and JV Ejercito.
The development marks a major shift in the Senate’s leadership structure, leaving the upper chamber in a transitional phase as the group emphasizes that legislative work must continue despite the leadership vacuum, pending the election of a new leader once the required number of votes is secured.
