Minority Leader Dismisses Speculation: Senate Leadership Unchanged

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday downplayed speculation about a possible power shift in the Senate, saying discussions about changing the chamber’s leadership remain premature without the numbers to back them up. Cayetano said internal talks are normal in a politically divided Senate, with some senators satisfied with the current direction and others openly critical of it. However, he stressed that without the required 13 votes to form a majority, any talk of a realignment remains purely speculative. “As long as it’s not there, it’s just rumors,” Cayetano said. “There are people happy with the direction, there are people who are not. But personally, it feels like everyone is campaigning instead of governing.” The minority leader underscored that the critical question is whether there are enough senators who share the same vision to form a majority—an outcome he admitted has not materialized. “You need 13 people of like minds. As of today, there are none—physically, none,” he said. Cayetano also acknowledged that the minority bloc has never hidden its desire to become part of the majority, calling it a natural objective in parliamentary politics. “We’re in the minority. Of course, we want to be in the majority.

That was never a secret,” he added. Still, the senator expressed concern over what he described as a growing “national campaign mode” within government, warning that political maneuvering appears to be overshadowing substantive governance and policy work. “These are not gut issues,” Cayetano said. “What matters is direction. That’s what the minority keeps asking.” He noted that discussions continue within Senate circles—ranging from leadership questions to the chamber’s overall direction—but reiterated that the numbers needed to trigger any real shift remain elusive. For now, Cayetano’s message is clear: without 13 votes, the Senate’s power balance stays exactly where it is, and the minority bloc remains firmly intact. For news video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1MA5bLgzbK/