A senator from the Senate’s majority bloc on Friday claimed that certain personalities have been reaching out to members of the Senate majority bloc in an apparent attempt to build support for another leadership change, this time targeting newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada made the statement during a virtual press conference, saying the effort did not come as a surprise following the ouster of Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as Senate president.
“For me, that is to be expected dahil hindi nila akalain na ma-unseat si SP Tito and they are moving heaven and earth to replace SP Alan,” the solon said.
Cayetano was elected Senate president on Monday, replacing Sotto after a leadership shake-up that altered the chamber’s majority and minority alignments. The shift has since triggered fresh political maneuvering within the Senate, with both sides closely watching possible movements among members.
The statement came after Cayetano said Thursday that the minority bloc appeared to be trying to persuade members of the new majority to return to their side.
“Medyo busy sila ngayon na tina-try kausapin ang mga miyembro namin na sumali ulit sa kanila,” Cayetano said.
Estrada echoed Cayetano’s claim, saying some personalities were allegedly talking to majority senators in a bid to convince them to “jump ship” and support a move to replace Cayetano.
He, however, declined to identify those behind the alleged effort.
“Well, I’m not at liberty to divulge who are these personalities talking to us, talking to the majority to jump ship and replace SP Alan,” the senator remarked.
The senator said the move was expected because Sotto’s allies and the former majority bloc were apparently caught off guard by the leadership change.
The latest allegation points to continuing instability in the Senate following Monday’s shake-up, with Cayetano’s camp now trying to keep its numbers intact just days after taking control of the chamber.
Cayetano’s election placed him at the helm of the Senate at a critical time, as the chamber prepares to take on politically sensitive proceedings, including the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Estrada did not say whether the alleged efforts had gained traction among majority senators. But his remarks suggested that the new leadership is already facing an early test of loyalty from within the chamber.