By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A group of senators led by former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the Senate leadership reorganization carried out on June 3, arguing that the proceedings violated Senate rules and constitutional requirements.
In a petition for certiorari and prohibition, the Cayetano-led bloc urged the High Court to issue a status quo ante order restoring the Senate’s leadership structure and composition before the disputed session.
The petition challenges the session presided over by Sherwin Gatchalian, including the declaration of a quorum based on the attendance of 12 senators, the election of new Senate officials, the reorganization of committees, and other actions taken during the proceedings.
The petitioners likewise sought recognition of Cayetano as Senate President, with Loren Legarda remaining Senate President Pro Tempore and Atty. Jose Luis Montales continuing as Senate Secretary.
According to the petition, all actions and appointments arising from the June 3 session should be declared null and void pending the Court’s resolution of the case.
Joining Cayetano in the petition are Senators Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, and Camille Villar, among others. Missing from the list of petitioners were Senators Mark Villar and Joel Villanueva.
Named as respondents were members of the Senate’s new majority bloc, including Senators Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. Also named were Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Gen. Alfredo Corpus.
The case is expected to test the limits of judicial intervention in internal Senate affairs and could have far-reaching implications for legislative leadership and parliamentary procedures.
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