Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has questioned the legality of the installation of Senator Win Gatchalian as the new Senate President Pro Tempore. In a statement, Cayetano maintained his position as the legitimate leader of the upper chamber of Congress.
Cayetano Stands Firm
The lawmaker emphasized that the vote conducted by twelve senators is invalid due to the absence of a majority or quorum required to change the leadership. According to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, 13 votes from sitting senators are necessary to remove a sitting official, as stipulated in the Constitution.
Constitutional Requirements
Estrada further explained that under Senate rules, the Senate President Pro Tempore can only assume the role of acting Senate President if the incumbent resigns, is removed by sufficient votes, dies, or suffers absolute incapacity.
Despite these developments, Cayetano assured that the scheduled hearings of his committee on anomalies will proceed as planned, as they did yesterday.
