Tinanggap na ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Miyerkoles ng umaga na hindi na siya ang magiging pangulo ng Senado matapos sumali si Senador Joel Villanueva sa bagong mayorya, na nagbibigay sa huli ng sapat na bilang para maghalal ng bagong pinuno para sa Mataas na Kapulungan.

"And now, after speaking with Sen. Joel Villanueva, it appears our colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President. I will not stand in the way of that vote. No leadership in a democracy is ever permanent; every office we hold is a loan, never a possession. To whoever this chamber lawfully elects, I extend my congratulations and my cooperation in advance," sabi ni Cayetano sa isang pahayag sa Facebook.

"And so I will end with a message to the public — it has been the honor of my life to serve as your Senate President," sabi pa niya.

"Offices are temporary, titles are temporary, even majorities are temporary — but your right to the truth is not. I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. We will find the Masterminds. We will hold them accountable," dagdag ni Cayetano.

"With gratitude to GOD, who lent me this office for a season, and with a promise to you, I will go on fighting for your right to the truth beyond any office, any position, any title, for as long as I am able. That promise does not change hands. And it will outlast us all," sabi pa ni Cayetano.

"I may leave the position of SP, but I am honored to still be your PS — your Public Servant," dagdag niya.

Sinamantala ni Cayetano ang pagkakataon para pasalamatan ang mga kapwa senador na sumuporta sa kaniya, kabilang sina Jinggoy Estrada at Rodante Marcoleta.

"I would like to honor the deep personal sacrifice of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and his family. He stood his ground. And Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, for not bowing to pressure even when the threats of arrest has been coming from all sides. I will not forget it, and I will not let it count for nothing," sabi niya.

Sinabi rin ni Cayetano na wala siyang hinanakit laban sa isang "brother who, in the end, felt he had no choice but to make peace with the new reality."

Sinabi rin niyang malungkot siya "to watch our country slip toward darkness — to see our people suffer, and to hear some begin to say there is no hope."

"I am sad that so many in our government are willing to look away from corruption when looking away is convenient — to trade the people’s right to the truth for a season of political advantage. That is the real loss. Not a gavel, but a conscience," dagdag niya.

"This was never about the Senate presidency. From the very beginning it was about the truth — the truth about the flood-control funds, the billions meant to shield our towns and our families from the waters, the protection that was paid for and never came. That is the fight that began all of this - one side wanted to bring it out, the other desperate to keep it covered. And it is a fight that we intend to continue, no title or position required," sabi niya.

Nanumpa si Cayetano na magtrabaho at "be among the first to back the measures before us to help Mindanao rise from the earthquake."

Hinamon din niya ang Senado: "If we are serious about working, then let us pass serious bills. And if we are not — if this Special Session is only the Palace’s way of legitimizing its chosen Senate President — then the only thing special about it is that it proves our point despite all their denials."

Napatalsik si Cayetano bilang pangulo ng Senado sa isang sesyon noong Hunyo 3 matapos ideklara ng 12 senador na dumalo na muling bakante ang lahat ng posisyon at inihalal si Senador Sherwin Gatchalian bilangSenate President Pro Tempore. Wala si Cayetano at ang mga kaalyadong senador sa sesyon noong Hunyo 3.

Gayunpaman, iginiit ni Cayetano na nananatili siyang lehitimong Senate President.

Noong Martes, Hunyo 16, isang araw bago ang espesyal na sesyon ng Kongreso, naghain ng petisyon si Cayetano at walong iba pang senador sa Korte Suprema na humihimok sa Mataas na Hukuman na ideklarang “null and void” ang sesyon ng Senado sa Hunyo 3.

Nahalal si Cayetano bilang lider ng Senado noong Mayo 11. —VBL GMA News