Camille Naredo

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III takes his oath as the new Senate President, replacing Senator Francisco Chiz Escudero on September 9, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PH-SENATE

Dennis Gasgonia

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175785800732820250908-senate-president-sotto-JC1138.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III takes his oath as the new Senate President, replacing Senator Francisco Chiz Escudero on September 9, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III takes his oath as the new Senate President, replacing Senator Francisco Chiz Escudero on September 9, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Senate President Vicente &quot;Tito&quot; Sotto III quashed talks or a possible coup in the Senate leadership as he described the rumors as mere &quot;psywar.&quot;</p><p>In an interview on DZMM Teleradyo on Sunday night, Sotto expressed his belief that the Senate minority may have been looking to secure sympathizers from the majority.</p><p>&quot;Tingin po namin dyan ay psywar, psy-ops. Kasi kagabi at kanina lang &#x27;yung grupo namin na 14 sa 15 ay kausap namin. Mayroon kaming Viber group e, lahat ay natatawa sa pinapakalat na balita. Hindi naman siguro totoo,&quot; said Sotto.</p><p>&quot;Siguro parang baka may iniisip silang vulnerable sa amin, baka akala nila may mga hindi satisfied sa amin. E lahat naman kami matitino ang usapan e. At saka ayaw naming madikit sa nangyayaring gulo. Ang gusto naming maayos ang reputasyon ng Senado. Hindi kami pumapatol sa ganoon,&quot; he stressed.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/14/another-senate-coup-lacson-says-fake-news-1045"><strong>Sotto, Lacson on alleged &#x27;Senate counter-coup&#x27; in the works: &#x27;Very devious&#x27;</strong></a> </div><p>Sotto was reinstalled as Senate President last Monday, dislodging embattled Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is under fire for receiving P30 million campaign donation from a contractor.</p><p>Joining Sotto in the Senate Majority are Senators Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros, Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Lito Lapid, siblings Mark and Camille Villar, and another pair of siblings Raffy and Erwin Tulfo.</p><p>Escudero, meanwhile, joined the new minority composed of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, Imee Marcos, Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, and Robin Padilla.</p><p>Sotto also questioned the motivation of those wanting another change in Senate leadership.</p><p>&quot;Bakit nagmamadali sila? Katatapos palang ng palitan e may hearing sa Huwebes, parang ayaw nilang matuloy ang hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee. Ang mga naiisip ng mga coup na yan may tinatago siguro meron sigurong ayaw ilahad sa sa publiko,&quot; he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/sotto-replaces-escudero-as-senate-president-1544"><strong>Sotto replaces Escudero as Senate President </strong></a> </div><p>Sotto is referring to the ongoing investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which is looking into the anomalous flood control projects that involved billions of pesos and implicated several contractors, high-ranking Public Works officials and even lawmakers.</p><p>Sotto said they will push through with the investigation even with the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure.</p><p>&quot;Oo, itutuloy pa rin, yung amin kasi in aid of legislation naman talaga (ang sa amin),&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;At saka yung independent commission na itinayo ng executive it will take about a week or so bago maging up and running noon, e marami na kaming narrating noon. Marami na kaming additional information na makukuha. Marami na ring maiisip na solution ng restructuring sa DPWH... yun ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nakakawala ang mga contractors at mga district engineers parang nakawala sa kural e.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hm6QLvwjfN8?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III quashed talks or a possible coup in the Senate leadership as he described the rumors as mere "psywar."</p>

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III quashed talks or a possible coup in the Senate leadership as he described the rumors as mere "psywar."

Rumored 'Senate coup' mere psywar, says Sotto

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Rumored 'Senate coup' mere psywar, says Sotto

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 14, 2025 11:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Vicente Tito Sotto III

Senate Coup

Senate leadership

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.