Camille Naredo

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Responding to queries about security arrangements, Cayetano clarified that Senator Ronald Dela Rosa is not under Senate custody and is free to leave, as Philippine courts have not issued an arrest warrant against him.
Maria Tan. ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SEN BATO DELA ROSA- ARREST- CAYETANO

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177910118763520260514-senate-alan-cayetano-MT14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Alan Peter Cayetano turns irate while answering questions during a press briefing where he confirmed that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Despite rumors that he is set to be replaced, Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday held on to the Senate Presidency. </p><p>Meanwhile, the minority gained two members who previously voted to abstain during last week&#x27;s Senate Presidential Elections.</p><p>The session opened at 3:00 p.m., and Cayetano held on to the gavel as he called it to order. A total of 23 senators were present, with Senator Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa the lone absentee.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/house-resolution-filed-to-urge-dela-rosa-to-surrender-to-icc-1536">READ: Lawmakers file House resolution seeking Dela Rosa&#x27;s surrender to ICC</a></div><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/house-resolution-filed-to-urge-dela-rosa-to-surrender-to-icc-1536"></a>During the session, Senators Miguel Zubiri and JV Ejercito <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/zubiri-ejercito-join-senate-minority-1608">joined the Senator Vicente Sotto III-led Minority</a>, with Ejercito thanking the new Majority for the offer to be Majority Leader.</p><p>&quot;Binatikos nga ako nila, sabi nila na ako nag fence-sitting at nag-abstain. Nag-abstain lang ako para I have a free hand to vote on which issue that I think is important for the Filipino people. But when it comes to the reorganization, I would like to associate myself with the minority, Mr. President,&quot; said Zubiri.</p><p>&quot;As of this time, I would rather maintain my independence,&quot; said Ejercito, for his part. &quot;For now, Mr. President, I&#x27;ll be with the Minority. I would like to thank you for the respect, and we will all still be friends, no matter what.&quot;</p><p>Ahead of the session, Cayetano had acknowledged that there were calls for his ouster as Senate President.</p><p>&quot;Yesterday, someone sent me -- the shortest-serving Senate President served for 13 days,&quot; he said. &quot;Hindi ko alam kung matatalo ko &#x27;yung 13 days, or kung seven, eight days lang po ako.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Now, if I remain or kung papalitan ako, sana hindi matibag ang Senado,&quot; Cayetano added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SENATE REORGANIZATION</strong></div><p>The reorganization of the Senate began in earnest, with Cayetano&#x27;s House of Representatives Secretary General Jose Luis Montales elected Senate Secretary, replacing resigned Mark Llandro Mendoza.</p><p>Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda was retained as Chairman of the Culture and the Arts.</p><p>Senator Pia Cayetano was retained as Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee, Sustainable Development Goals, and Energy.</p><p>Senator Bong Go reclaimed the Health Committee from Senator Risa Hontiveros. He also kept the Chairmanship of the Committee on Sports.</p><p>Senator Joel Villanueva is the Chairman of the Higher and Technical Education Committee replacing Legarda.</p><p>Senator Jinggoy Estrada reclaimed the chairmanship of national defense from Legarda and the Games and Amusement Committee from Senator Erwin Tulfo.</p><p>Legarda took the Basic Education Committee from Bam Aquino.</p><p>Senator Rodante Marcoleta took the Public Services Committee from Senator Raffy Tulfo.</p><p>Senator Robin Padilla retained his chairmanship of the Committees on Public Information and Cultural Communities.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/senate-set-to-convene-as-impeachment-court-for-sara-duterte-trial-1211">READ: Senate convenes as impeachment court for Sara Duterte trial</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>GATCHALIAN AS SENATE PRESIDENT?</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Senator Miguel Zubiri revealed that he is pushing for Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to become Senate President.</p><p>&quot;This is my candidate for Senate President,&quot; Zubiri said, putting an arm over Gatchalian while talking to the media after Monday&#x27;s plenary session.</p><p>Asked if there is still an attempt to change the Senate leadership, Gatchalian said: &quot;I think the proceedings will speak for itself.&quot;</p><p>Gatchalian maintained his personal working relationship with Senators remains good despite the tension over the Senate leadership.</p>

<p>Despite rumors that he is set to be replaced, Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday held on to the Senate Presidency. </p>

Despite rumors that he is set to be replaced, Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday held on to the Senate Presidency.

Cayetano holds on to Senate presidency; minority gains Ejercito, Zubiri

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Cayetano holds on to Senate presidency; minority gains Ejercito, Zubiri

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 18, 2026 06:48 PM PHT

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Philippine Senate

Alan Peter Cayetano

Miguel Zubiri

JV Ejercito

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