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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'I doubt it': Sotto shrugs off coup rumors

'I doubt it': Sotto shrugs off coup rumors

Published Feb 2, 2026 03:48 pm
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday, Feb. 2, said he has not heard any complaints or expressions of dissatisfaction regarding his leadership amid coup rumors in the Upper Chamber.
Senate President Vicente
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (Senate PRIB photo)
In an interview, Sotto said that if there's something that his colleagues may be unhappy about is his strict nature, especially regarding the national budget.
"Wala namang nakakarating sakin (I haven’t heard anything)," Sotto said, when asked about anyone reaching out to him to express their dissatisfaction.
Sotto said that he doubts a leadership change would have a chance.
"I doubt it," he said.
"But you know, sanay ako dito eh (I'm used to this). I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues. Since the 8th Congress up to now, the Senate leadership has always been that way," he added.
He also stated that he heard nothing about the supposed coup rumors circulating over the weekend. His colleagues in the majority bloc, Sotto said, told him that they remain united.
Sotto also felt that a "loyalty check" was not necessary, adding that it's most probably just political noise on social media.
However, he stated that it's possible that it has something to do with the impending change in committee chairmanships. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson recently confirmed that Senator Imee Marcos will be replaced as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, a member of the majority, said that he sees no need for a change in the Senate leadership right now. He said that he was not contacted by anyone since there's usually someone who calls him regarding such instances.
"Usually it's like that. Pero this time, talagang wala naman (there was none). Tahimik. It's quiet," he added.
Not today?
In a chance interview, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, said "not today", when approached by reporters.
He said that it's a rumor until it's true. Right now, Cayetano said that "everyone's campaigning instead of governing."
Currently, Cayetano said that there's no "13" yet.
Under Senate rules, the Senate President is elected by a simple majority vote of the senators present in plenary. With 24 members in the chamber, this usually means at least 13 votes are needed to elect or replace the Senate leader if all senators are present.
A change in leadership can be effected at any time during a Congress once a majority of senators withdraw their support from the incumbent and back a new candidate.

Related Tags

coup Senate President Vicente \"Tito\" Sotto III Alan Cayetano Erwin Tulfo Senate leadership
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