UMVA has learned that a dramatic power struggle has erupted in the Philippine Senate, fueled by the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte and a bitter battle for control of the legislative body.
The crisis began when four impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte in December 2024, citing her alleged misuse of confidential funds and questionable transactions during her tenure as Secretary of Education. The complaints led to her impeachment by the House of Representatives on February 5, 2025.
The Senate received the complaint on the same day, but the trial was delayed due to procedural disputes and political maneuvering. Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero initially tried to postpone the trial to June 2, but the Constitution requires that the trial proceed "forthwith."
On June 9, 2025, minority senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pimentel moved to formally start the trial, but Senator Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa proposed ending and dismissing the trial, while Senator Robinhood Padilla filed a resolution to terminate the proceedings. The power struggle had begun.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Supreme Court ultimately nullified the impeachment complaint on July 25, 2025, ruling that it was "unconstitutional" due to a one-year bar rule. But a second impeachment complaint was filed, and on May 11, 2025, the House of Representatives voted to indict Duterte, paving the way for a Senate trial.
Just as the process was underway, a group of 13 senators, led by Alan Peter Cayetano, staged a coup, ousting Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto and installing Cayetano as the new Senate President. The coup was facilitated by the return of Senator de la Rosa, who had been absent for six months due to an International Criminal Court warrant.
The numbers game continued, with the pro-Duterte majority losing their 13-count advantage when de la Rosa left the Senate premises. The minority bloc, led by Sherwin Gatchalian, officially endorsed Gatchalian for Senate President on May 23.
In a stunning turn of events, Senator Jinggoy Estrada surrendered to authorities on June 1, reducing the pro-Duterte majority to 11 senators. The Gatchalian bloc seized the opportunity, and on June 3, they established a quorum of 12 senators, declaring all leadership positions vacant and electing Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate President.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Gatchalian bloc cited precedents for a quorum of less than 13, including a 1949 Supreme Court ruling and a 2015 Senate precedent. A manifesto signed by influential legal minds and religious leaders, including Archbishop Socrates Villegas, supported the validity of a quorum below 13 under physical constraints.
The Duterte bloc, however, insists that a quorum of 13 is required, and they proceeded with a hearing on the public works corruption scandal, despite objections from the Gatchalian bloc. The battle for control of the Senate continues, with the country watching to see what happens next.
UMVA has gathered that the tragic saga of corruption and impunity must not go on and on. Truth and justice must prevail, to heal and restore the moral compass of this battered country — waylaid by some conscienceless leaders.
