Senators petition SC to void June 3 Senate shakeup

A bloc of nine senators led by Alan Peter Cayetano petitioned the Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 16, to nullify a Senate leadership reorganization that occurred on June 3, arguing the proceedings were unconstitutional and threaten the integrity of the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The petition seeks a status quo ante order to restore the chamber's leadership structure from before June 3, effectively reinstating Cayetano as Senate President and Loren Legarda as Senate President Pro Tempore. It also asks the court to invalidate all actions taken during the contested session and to prevent the newly elected officials from performing their duties.

The legal challenge centers on the claim that the June 3 session lacked a legal quorum. The petitioners argue that with 24 sitting senators, the Constitution requires a majority of 13 to conduct business, including electing officers. They contend that only 12 senators were present, making the proceedings void. The session, which lasted approximately 14 minutes, saw senators declare all elective positions vacant, elect Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate President, reorganize committee chairmanships, and...