Cayetano denies Senate coup talks, urges focus on corruption probe

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippines News Agency

Cayetano dismissed rumors of a leadership change within the chamber, saying there were “no active efforts or signature drives” to unseat Senate President Vicente Sotto III. (Senate of the Philippines/facebook)

MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday denied reports of an alleged coup plot in the Senate, saying both the majority and minority blocs should focus on the ongoing flood control investigation instead of engaging in political speculation.

Cayetano dismissed rumors of a leadership change within the chamber, saying there were “no active efforts or signature drives” to unseat Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

“Walang active na ligawan in the sense nung una (There is no active courting or gathering of signatures like before),” Cayetano said in a media briefing.

He added that recent discussions among senators focused mainly on strengthening the Blue Ribbon Committee’s work and ensuring transparency in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), not on internal power shifts.

The senator said he recently spoke with Sotto, who reaffirmed that the majority remains united.

“Sabi nga niya, basta tayo yung friendship para nakakapag-usap tayo (He said what’s important is that our friendship allows open communication),” Cayetano said.

He added any supposed leadership movement is “not happening now”, emphasizing that such rumors are normal in politics but unfounded at this time.

“Ngayon, kung sasabihin mo may kindat-kindat or welcome kayo sa amin, syempre pag nakikita-kita dito, kanya-kanya yan. But hindi kami nag-uusap sa minority tungkol diyan (There may be friendly exchanges, but there are no talks within the minority about that),” he said.

Cayetano added that while political alignments naturally shift in a dynamic legislature, senators must not lose sight of their oversight duties, particularly in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

“Grabe ang problema ng bansa (The country is facing serious problems). The Senate must continue to be the salt and light—the institution that provides a vision for our people. Right now, the Senate should be part of the solution, not the problem,” he said.

The senator underscored that unity, not rivalry, is essential to rebuild confidence in government.

“The Senate, in the darkest times of our country, always stood as the guardian of democracy. That should not change now,” he said.