Philippine Senate elects new president as Sara Duterte impeachment looms

On June 17, the Philippine Senate voted to remove Alan Peter Cayetano and install Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president. The special session, called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was attended by 13 of the 24 senators, all of whom backed Gatchalian.

The leadership change comes weeks before the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, is slated to begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6. The impeachment complaint accuses her of misusing public funds, accumulating unexplained wealth, and threatening officials. A conviction could bar her from holding public office and affect her potential 2028 presidential bid.

Pre‑trial proceedings continued on June 22, with the parties completing evidence marking for Article III, which covers bribery, graft, and breach of public trust. Both the prosecution and defense said disagreements during the conference were normal and that they remain on track for the July 6 trial start.