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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New Majority bloc: Alan Cayetano no longer Senate President

New Majority bloc: Alan Cayetano no longer Senate President

Published Jun 3, 2026 05:54 pm

At A Glance

  • The Senate voted to declare all leadership positions vacant, including the Senate presidency, after 12 senators present recognized a quorum based on the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.
  • As a result, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President, although a successor has yet to be elected.
  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has not yet been elected Senate President, as the position requires at least 13 votes from the Senate's members under the Constitution.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer the Senate President.
Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian is the new Senate President Pro Tempore during the plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on June 3, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian is the new Senate President Pro Tempore during the plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on June 3, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
This was according to the newly formed 12-member majority bloc, after the Senate, with 12 senators present, voted to declare all leadership positions vacant during Wednesday's, June 3, plenary session.
The move came after the chamber recognized a quorum based on a membership base of 22 senators, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.
With a quorum declared, the senators present proceeded to adopt a motion declaring vacant all Senate leadership posts, including the Senate presidency, effectively ending the tenure of the chamber's existing leadership.
As a result, the position of Senate President is currently vacant.
"Hindi pa lamang naihahalal si Sen. Win Gatchalian bilang bagong Senate President dahil kailangan pa ng 13 boto sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon (Senator Win Gatchalian has not yet been elected as the new Senate President because the Constitution requires 13 votes)," the statement read.
"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 (But what is clear and important now is this: all positions are vacant, the previous leadership has ended, and the Senate must continue its work for the people)," it added.
Gatchalian presided over Wednesday's session before adjourning the session sine die.

Related Tags

Alan Peter Cayetano majority bloc Sherwin Gatchalian Senate of the Philippines
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