Senate removes president, former speaker disputes vote count

Senators replaced the chamber's leadership on June 3 after a minority bloc and one defector convened without the sitting president. The ousted official maintains the group lacked the required 13 votes and questions the session's validity. The new leadership has been recognized by Malacañang and the House of Representatives.

The move followed two consecutive days when the Senate did not convene at the president's call.

Earlier leadership change In 2020 the same senator lost the speakership of the House of Representatives after a rival secured enough votes to replace him. He padlocked the session hall and later questioned the arithmetic of the vote, claiming some members had voted twice. He eventually stepped down but described the departure as an irrevocable resignation.

Current dispute On June 3 the 11-member minority bloc, joined by one majority defector, declared all leadership posts vacant. They cited a 1940s Supreme Court ruling that allowed 12 of 22 senators to conduct business. The former Senate president posted on Facebook that a majority of 24 members requires 13 votes and that the group therefore could not elect a new president.

He offered to cast the 13th vote if the numbers were shown. The Senate has not yet held a session under the new leadership.