Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano retained his post on Monday after an alleged move to unseat him failed to gain enough support in the chamber.
The development came amid reports of a possible Senate leadership coup, with Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri or Francis Escudero floated as potential replacements.
Before Monday’s plenary session, Cayetano said he held a brief caucus with the majority bloc to discuss priorities, including committee chairmanships and any possible leadership challenge.
“As of last night and as of with our groups a few minutes ago, it’s more all rumors,” Cayetano said.
“There were meetings that took place. Calls from both sides, may enticement, may pananakot. To be fair, it’s not all wheeling and dealing,” he added.
Cayetano claimed that recent political developments were meant to weaken the Senate as an institution and linked the alleged maneuvering to efforts to revive constitutional change, including proposals for a regional Senate and possible term extensions.
He said he was not personally bothered by the possibility of being replaced even after only a short time as Senate President.
“It’s not how long your life is, it’s how meaningful it is,” Cayetano said.
The Senate also proceeded with its reorganization, with Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Juan Miguel Zubiri formally associating themselves with the minority bloc after abstaining from the Senate presidency vote on May 11.
Ejercito said he preferred to “maintain my independence” despite being offered the majority leadership post.
Zubiri said he wanted to be associated with the minority to retain a free hand in voting on issues he believes are important to the public.
The chamber also elected Juan Luis Montales as the new Senate secretary, replacing Mark Llandro Mendoza, who resigned after last week’s leadership change.
Montales previously served as Taguig City administrator, House secretary general, and Foreign Affairs undersecretary for civilian security and consular concerns.
As part of the reorganization, the Senate approved several committee chairmanships.
Loren Legarda retained the Committee on Culture and the Arts and was elected chair of Basic Education, while Pia Cayetano retained Ways and Means, Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking, and Energy.
Bong Go was elected chair of Health and Demography and retained Sports, while Joel Villanueva was named chair of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.
Jinggoy Estrada took over National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, and Games and Amusement.
Rodante Marcoleta was elected chair of Public Services, while Robin Padilla retained Public Information and Mass Media and Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs.
The Senate is expected to elect other committee chairpersons on Tuesday, May 19.