PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not meddle in the Senate’s affairs following the leadership change but the country’s biggest alliance of labor groups said the shakeup appeared to be designed to weaken the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte and to shield Sen. Ronald dela Rosa from arrest.
“Everything that happens in the Senate is within their power, it is within the authority to decide on all matters within the Senate,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. “So, the president will not interfere in any decision of the Senate.”
Cayetano secured the Senate presidency after a 13–9–2 vote, with 13 senators supporting his election, nine opposing it, and two abstaining.
The motion to install a new Senate President was introduced by Sen. Imee Marcos, the president’s elder sister.
Cayetano is the fourth Senate president under the Marcos administration.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri led the 24-seat chamber from July 2022 to May 2024 before being replaced by Sen. Francis Escudero, who served until September 2025. Sotto was then elected and served until May this year.
Following the leadership change, Sen. Loren Legarda was later appointed as the new Senate President Pro Tempore.
Cayetano will now preside over the looming impeachment trial of Duterte.
Meanwhile, the labor coalition Nagkaisa on Tuesday blasted the recent leadership changes in the Senate, warning that the chamber must not become a “safe house for the powerful” amid mounting political controversies.
Sonny Matula, chairman of Nagkaisa, the biggest alliance of labor groups and workers’ organizations, said the Senate now appears to be transforming into a “political bunker” designed not only to weaken the impeachment process against Duterte but also to shield dela Rosa from being arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role in the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
“This is not for the common good,” Matula said. “The Senate should be ashamed. Standards have sunk so low. Nagkaisa is deeply disappointed.” The group questioned whether the leadership reshuffle was truly meant to promote accountability — or merely to create an “emergency exit” for the impeachment case against Duterte and a political refuge for dela Rosa.
“This is not statesmanship,” Matula said. “It looks more like an effort to save friendships and protect political allies.” Nagkaisa said that at a time when Filipinos are grappling with economic hardship, destructive flooding, and continuing allegations of corruption in government spending, democratic institutions must not be used as shields for the politically influential.
“The Senate must not become a parking lot for political protection,” the labor group said. “It must remain a hall of accountability.” The coalition emphasized that the Senate’s constitutional duty is to uphold truth, accountability, and public trust — not to protect political dynasties, allies, or entrenched political interests from scrutiny.
Calling the situation “revolting to the conscience of the nation,” Nagkaisa said what the public is witnessing is the raw exercise of power disguised as parliamentary procedure.
“Justice cannot be scheduled only when it is convenient for the powerful,” Matula said. “Accountability is not optional. It is the rent every public official must pay for occupying public office.” The labor group also urged the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte and to surrender dela Rosa to arresting authorities, citing an existing warrant and charges carrying penalties exceeding six months’ imprisonment.
Nagkaisa further called on senators to respect both domestic and international accountability mechanisms, and to ensure that the impeachment proceedings move forward with fairness, transparency, and independence.
“The Senate must be a sanctuary of justice and accountability — not a refuge for fugitives and plunderers,” the group said.
“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than a Senate that serves the Constitution, not political convenience or the protection of a privileged few,” Nagkaisa added.
