THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Philippine Senate leadership shift leaves Sara Duterte exposed ahead of impeachment trial A leadership stand-off in the Philippine Senate ended Wednesday with the removal of an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte as leader of the chamber, which will soon start the impeachment trial of his daughter, incumbent Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio. With 13 of 24 senators backing him, Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, was elected Senate president. His rival, Alan Peter Cayetano, a key supporter of Duterte, admitted defeat. “He’s the leader the Senate needs...

Senate leadership shift, PDP-Laban warning mark build-up ... - Interaksyon Share Facebook Twitter Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano takes oath as Senate President on May 11, 2026. (Screenshot via Senate of the Philippines/YouTube) SPONSORED ARTICLES How logistics industry experts plan to ‘move forward’ after COVID-19 Reasons why Filipinos love Korean culture and products Why Batangas is the destination for budget-friendly family holidays As the House of Representatives votes on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte , the Senate has changed leadership following the ouster of Senate President Tito Sotto III . The lower chamber is set to vote on the impeachment on Monday, May 11, with the 1987 Philippine Constitution requiring at least 106 votes from the lawmakers to officially elevate the case to the Upper Chamber. Once at least 106 votes are obtained, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court for trial. Before the House voting, however, the Senate had already shifted gears by changing its leadership. Sotto has been replaced by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano , who secured 13 votes to become the new Senate President. Nine senators voted for Sotto, while two abstaine…

Alan Peter Cayetano elected Senate president in chamber leadership shift Share Post Viber icon Viber Email 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. Du…

Philippine Senate leadership standoff ends with Duterte ally's removal ... New Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, third from left, takes his oath during a special session at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) New Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian talks during a special session at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Senator Joel Villanueva, left, reacts as he talks with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Senator Miguel Zubiri, left, speaks during a special session at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) New Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian bangs the gavel during a special session at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A leadership standoff in thePhilippineSenate ended Wednesday with the removal of an ally of formerPresident Rodrigo Duterteas leader of the chamber, which will soon start the…

Philippine senators name new leader, sidestepping pro-Duterte boycott Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian presides as Senate Pro Tempore during the plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on June 3. (Photo: AFP) A group of Philippine lawmakers wrested back control of a bitterly divided Senate on June 3, electing an acting president amid a boycott by Vice President Sara Duterte's supporters ahead of her impeachment trial. Pro-Duterte lawmakers began their Senate boycott this week after losing majority control, with one lawmaker arrested for large-scale corruption and another in hiding to avoid arrest by the International Criminal Court. The change in leadership was made possible after Senator Francis Escudero from the pro-Duterte bloc attended the session, allowing lawmakers to reach a quorum and elect Sherwin Gatchalian in a temporary capacity. "The Senate has been adjourned and unable to resume session for the past two days, placing us on the brink of constitutional violation had we not convened today," Gatchalian said. He said the quorum was calculated based on a "majority of the 22 senators over whom jurisdiction can be obtained by the Sen…

VP Sara Duterte blames Marcos administration leadership for Senate ... Manila Bulletin Philippines National VP Sara Duterte blames Marcos administration leadership for Senate leadership dispute Philippines | National VP Sara Duterte blames Marcos administration leadership for Senate leadership dispute Vice President says the Senate leadership dispute reflects weak leadership and a lack of direction under the Marcos administration By Merlina Hernando-Malipot Published Jun 10, 2026 04:15 pm At A Glance VP Sara said the Senate leadership dispute reflects what she described as weak leadership and a lack of direction under the current administration. Duterte urged senators to focus on their constitutional duties and institutional responsibilities. She declined to give a legal opinion on the quorum dispute, saying the Supreme Court should provide clarity on the matter. Vice President Sara Duterte (right) said the Senate leadership dispute reflects a lack of direction under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (left), and urged senators to focus on their constitutional responsibilities. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin file) Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, June…