Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, presides over a hearing on Feb. 4, 2026. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17702870068688f7d0906-81bc-48b9-bd7a-05322aac14d2.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, presides over a hearing on Feb. 4, 2026. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau</div>MANILA — Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed Thursday that he suggested that Sen. Loren Legarda be elected Senate president closer to the 2028 elections to keep the majority bloc intact and to forestall a rumored coup.Zubiri told reporters that if there is going to be a change in leadership in the Senate, that change should come from the majority bloc.&quot;So, yesterday, when we were discussing inside the lounge, I made a joke na baka puwede naman end term ni Senator Sotto, puwedeng siya din ang maging Senate president, the first woman Senate president. And he gladly agreed and he said, &#x27;yes, why not?&#x27;&quot; Zubiri said.He said there is no official agreement but that the majority has agreed and that Sotto has already confirmed the plan to elect Legarda the first woman Senate president of the Philippines.Zubiri, himself a former Senate president, said Legarda knows about the agreement since she was present when it was discussed.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/5/loren-on-alleged-senate-presidency-deal-i-have-no-idea-1447">Loren on alleged Senate Presidency deal: &#x27;I have no idea&#x27; </a></div>He also said Sotto would prefer to stay as Senate chief until the chamber transfers to the new Senate Building in Taguig City by next year.&quot;So, I think the idea is by 2027 ... lilipat na tayo sa bagong building ... After which, of course, before the 2028 elections, of course, the good Sen. Loren Legarda could sit as Senate president,&quot; Zubiri said.He said Sotto had requested to stay until the transfer so that the new building could be his and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson&#x27;s legacy.But Legarda won&#x27;t be the only one getting a new job, as Zubiri said he is ready to relinquish leadership of the majority to Sen. JV Ejercito, who is currently senior deputy majority leader.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/4/legarda-presides-over-senate-session-but-coup-vs-sotto-quelled-1922">Majority plans to make Legarda Senate president before end of 20th Congress: Sotto</a></div>&quot;And I&#x27;ll just be mere member of the Senate. That way, we also give an opportunity to the other members of the Senate to hold leadership positions,&quot; Zubiri said.He added members of the minority bloc are welcome to join the majority, adding &quot;there are some that the Senate president is already talking to that possibly might join us in the future.&quot;

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed Thursday that he suggested that Sen. Loren Legarda be elected Senate president closer to the 2028 elections to keep the majority bloc intact and to forestall a rumored coup.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed Thursday that he suggested that Sen. Loren Legarda be elected Senate president closer to the 2028 elections to keep the majority bloc intact and to forestall a rumored coup.

Zubiri says he suggested Legarda for Senate president to keep majority intact

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Zubiri says he suggested Legarda for Senate president to keep majority intact

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 05, 2026 06:36 PM PHT

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Juan Miguel Zubiri

Loren Legarda

Vicente Sotto III

Senate

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