Philippine Senate ousts Duterte ally as president ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

Jun 17, 2026

An ally of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sherwin Gatchalian, has replaced a supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte as Senate president. The ouster of Alan Peter Cayetano comes just weeks before the Senate begins an impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo's daughter. The power shift reflects the escalating feud between the country's top political families.

Senate leadership change

▪Gatchalian replaced Alan Peter Cayetano, a key supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was ousted from the position.
▪The leadership dispute is seen as part of the long-running political feud between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
▪The leadership change occurred after a senator from Alan Peter Cayetano's bloc defected, giving the rival faction a clear majority.
▪Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was elected Philippine Senate president with the backing of 13 out of 24 senators.
▪Another ally of Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, was arrested and jailed on June 1 on a plunder charge.

Sara Duterte impeachment trial

▪The impeachment complaint accuses Sara Duterte of misusing public funds, unexplained wealth, and threatening the life of President Marcos Jr.
▪The Senate is scheduled to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6.
▪The House of Representatives, dominated by allies of President Marcos Jr., impeached Vice President Sara Duterte in May 2026.
▪If convicted, Sara Duterte could be banned from public office, impacting her announced plan to run for president in 2028.

Rodrigo Duterte ICC trial

▪Former President Rodrigo Duterte is detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and is scheduled for trial in November for alleged crimes against humanity.
▪Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly blamed President Marcos Jr. for her father's arrest and handover to the ICC.
▪The ICC charges against Rodrigo Duterte stem from his anti-drug crackdowns, which led to thousands of deaths of mostly poor suspects.

Ronald dela Rosa ICC warrant

▪Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a former national police chief, is wanted by the ICC as a co-perpetrator in the widespread killings of drug suspects.
▪After an ICC arrest warrant for him was unsealed on May 11, Senator Ronald dela Rosa went back into hiding and remains at large.
▪Dela Rosa reappeared on May 11 after months in hiding to cast the deciding vote that installed Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.

Political dynasty legislation

▪The special session for the leadership vote was called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the passage of urgent bills, including an anti-political-dynasty measure.
▪Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was elected Philippine Senate president with the backing of 13 out of 24 senators.