Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

RG Cruz

Jekki Pascual

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/17573098838711757309882022.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Senate President Tito Sotto and current SP Sen. Chiz Escudero. Senate PRIB/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Vicente Sotto III said Monday he had enough backing to reclaim the Senate presidency from Sen. Francis Escudero.</p><p>Before heading to the session hall, Sotto confirmed he secured 15 signatories for the Senate shakeup. </p><p>He said he talked to Escudero about it earlier in the day and they could declare the Senate presidency vacant. Sotto said he and other senators had issues with the current leadership, but he was quick to point out that these do not include flood control. He added they talked about the change in leadership weeks ago.</p><p>Sen. Migz Zubiri moved to declare the Senate presidency vacant. With no opposition, the motion was approved.</p><p>He then nominated Sotto for Senate president.</p><div><iframe width="1156" height="650" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XcJEYb427N4" title="LIVE: Senate Session No. 17 | September 8, 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Malacanang said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. would not interfere with the Senate leadership.</p><p>“Sabi ng Pangulo, hindi naman siya puwede mangialam sa kung anong gusto ng mga senador, choice nila yan. Kung sinong mapipili ngayon ng mga senador bilang kanilang leader or president, susuportahan yan ng Pangulo,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.  </p><p>Asked if the shakeup could cause political chaos amid the Senate investigation on flood control projects, she answered in the negative.</p><p>“Marami nang naganap na pagpapalitan ng liderato at hindi nagkaroon ng problema, tinanggap naman ng mga miyembro kung ano ang desisyon,” Castro said.</p><div><strong>— With a report from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News </strong></div>

<p>A leadership coup was allegedly in progress on Monday to replace Senate President Francis Escudero, ABS-CBN News sources said.</p>

A leadership coup was allegedly in progress on Monday to replace Senate President Francis Escudero, ABS-CBN News sources said.

Sotto says he has enough support to replace Escudero as Senate President

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Sotto says he has enough support to replace Escudero as Senate President

RG Cruz,

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News,

Published September 08, 2025 01:38 PM PHT

|

Updated September 08, 2025 06:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Senate president

Tito Sotto

Chiz Escudero

Sotto Escudero

ABSNews

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.