… as Cayetano stages a coup in the Senate
TARLAKENYO (May 11, 2026) — The Philippine political landscape underwent a massive tremor on Monday as the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, just as a sudden leadership shake-up in the Senate appeared to fortify her defense against removal.
The House secured 255 affirmative votes during its May 11 plenary session, easily surpassing the 106-vote threshold required to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. The complaint, centered on the alleged misuse of public funds, saw only 26 negative votes and nine abstentions.
The three Tarlac Representatives — Jaime Cojuangco, Cristy Angeles, and Noel Rivera — are believed to have voted in favor of impeaching Duterte.
However, the momentum of the impeachment faced an immediate counter-move in the Upper House. In a swift leadership coup staged while House members were still casting their ballots, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano unseated Senator Tito Sotto to take over the Senate Presidency.
The move to replace Sotto was supported by a 13-member bloc including Senators Loren Legarda, Camille Villar, Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, Imee Marcos, Chiz Escudero, Robin Padilla, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Bato dela Rosa, Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, and Sotto himself.
In contrast, Sotto’s leadership was defended by Senators Bam Aquino, Ping Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Alan Cayetano, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Lito Lapid, Win Gatchalian, and Kiko Pangilinan. Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Migz Zubiri recorded abstentions.
Observers see the reorganization of the Senate as a pivotal shield for the Vice President.
With a two-thirds vote of the Senate required for a conviction, the new leadership alignment suggests the impeachment process may face an uphill battle in the upper chamber, potentially signaling that Duterte will remain in office despite the House’s overwhelming vote.
