MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has become the second shortest-serving Senate president in Philippine history after being removed from the chamber’s top post just over a month after assuming office.
ONE MONTH AND SIX DAYS IN OFFICE
Cayetano served as Senate president from May 11 to June 17, completing a tenure of one month and six days before senators elected a new chamber leader during a special session convened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
His term is now second only to that of the late Camilo Osias, who served as Senate president for just 26 days after political realignments within the chamber.
CAYETANO ANTICIPATED POSSIBLE REMOVAL
During a meeting with pastors on May 18, Cayetano acknowledged the possibility that his tenure could be brief.
He said he had been informed that the shortest-serving Senate president held the position for only a few weeks, adding that regardless of how long he remained in office, what mattered most was how he fulfilled his responsibilities while serving.
LOSS OF MAJORITY SUPPORT SEALED LEADERSHIP FATE
Cayetano’s removal became inevitable after Sen. Joel Villanueva shifted to the majority bloc, giving it the 13 votes needed to elect a new Senate president.
Ahead of Wednesday’s special session, Cayetano admitted that his allies no longer had enough votes to retain Senate leadership and said he would not block the election of a new presiding officer.
MAINTAINS JUNE 3 LEADERSHIP DISPUTE WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Although he accepted the political outcome, Cayetano reiterated that he believes the Senate leadership reorganization conducted on June 3 was unconstitutional.
He maintained that the change lacked the constitutionally required quorum and argued that the issue remains subject to judicial review.
According to Cayetano, his opposition was rooted in protecting the Senate’s independence and ensuring accountability over alleged corruption issues rather than retaining power.
GATCHALIAN ELECTED NEW SENATE PRESIDENT
Minutes after the special session began, senators elected Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate president after securing the support of at least 13 lawmakers, the minimum number required under the Constitution.
Gatchalian replaced Cayetano, ending weeks of political uncertainty over Senate leadership.
Leadership changes in the Senate
Cayetano assumed the Senate presidency on May 11 after defeating then Senate president Vicente Tito Sotto III with 13 votes.
His victory was made possible in part by the return of Sen. Ronald Bato dela Rosa, who resurfaced after months away from public view to cast what proved to be the decisive vote in favor of Cayetano.