Senators dismiss leadership change rumors

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February 3, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Senate leaders yesterday downplayed fresh speculation about a move to replace Senate President Vicente Sotto III, describing it as a recurring feature of politics in the chamber and a product of “misinformation.”

Sotto dismissed talk of dissatisfaction as well as possible change in leadership within the chamber, saying he has neither seen nor heard of any active effort to have him ousted.

“I’m not seeing, I’m not hearing anything about dissatisfaction. And if you’ll ask me what I think can make my colleagues dissatisfied, well maybe it’s my being strict, strict about insertion in the budget,” Sotto said in Filipino when asked about possible discontent among senators.

He said no colleague of his has personally conveyed unhappiness over his leadership, noting that Senate leaders have always depended on the support of fellow senators.

“I doubt it,” he said, referring to possible disenchantment with his leadership.

“But, you know, I’m used to it. I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues since the 8th Congress up to now. The Senate leadership has always been that way. Depende sa mga kasama (Depends on your colleagues),” he said, adding that loyalty checks were unnecessary at this point.

Sotto’s remarks came after social media posts over the weekend suggested an impending leadership shift, allegedly driven by dissatisfaction with Sotto and a supposed move by some majority members to switch sides.

This is not the first time that rumors of a Senate leadership shakeup have surfaced.

In October last year, Senate President Pro-Tempore Panfilo Lacson dismissed similar claims as “old rehashed psywar tactic” meant to “confuse and sow intrigue” within the majority bloc.

The Senate presidency is determined by a vote of the chamber’s members.

While leadership changes are possible at any time with sufficient support, no formal move to challenge the current leadership has been announced.

Sotto also downplayed coup rumors circulating online, saying senators have assured him that the majority remains intact.

Lacson described such threats as a recurring feature of politics in the chamber.

“An emerging threat to the Senate leadership? Let’s put it this way – like rebellion, the threat against the Senate presidency is a ‘continuing crime’ since time immemorial,” Lacson said on X.

Several members of the majority including Loren Legarda and Erwin Tulfo likewise dismissed the rumors.

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said there are “always discussions” on possible leadership change as there are members of the minority bloc who are not happy with the direction of the Senate.

“So it’s really, do you get 13 people of like minds? But as of today, (none),” he told reporters, referring to the 13 votes needed for a change in leadership.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday swore in a new secretary and sergeant-at-arms, replacing two key officials appointed during the previous leadership.

Mark Llandro Mendoza formally took his oath as Senate secretary, succeeding Renato Bantug, who assumed the post during the presidency of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Retired Maj. Gen. Edgardo Rene Samonte was sworn in as sergeant-at-arms, replacing Mao Aplasca, who had been appointed at the opening of the 20th Congress last year. Majority Leader Zubiri nominated both officials on the floor.