With a vote of 13-9-2, 13 in favor of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, nine for Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and two abstentions, Cayetano was declared the new Senate President on Monday afternoon, May 11.

The motion to elect a new Senate President was put forth by Senator Imee Marcos, to which Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said he would not object, although he had serious reservations.

Senators Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Mark Villar, and Camille Villar added to the nine in the minority bloc who voted to unseat Sotto and install Cayetano as Senate head.

Later, Senator Loren Legarda was appointed as the new Senate President Pro-Tempore.

Moreover, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa appeared after an exactly six-month absence to cement the change in Senate leadership.

This development comes in spite of the confidence expressed by Sotto’s allies that he will remain Senate President amid the likely transmission of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.