Sotto shrugs off coup rumors

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday brushed off rumors of a possible leadership change in the Senate.

“I doubt it, but you know, sanay ako dito,” Sotto said in an ambush interview.

(I doubt it, but you know, this is nothing new here.)

“I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues. Since the 8th Congress up to now, Senate leadership has always been that way. Depende sa mga kasama,” he added.

Rumors of an alleged coup against Sotto’s leadership surfaced on social media over the weekend.

Sotto, however, said he has not received any information about such talks and stressed that the 15-member majority bloc remains solid.

“Wala naman nakarating sa akin. Ang nakarating sa akin ay kwento ng mga kasama namin na we’re solid,” he said.

(I have not received any information. What I’ve been told by my colleagues is that we’re solid.)

Senator Erwin Tulfo likewise said he has not received any indication of a move to unseat Sotto.

“So far, over the weekend, wala akong naririnig. May mga pumuputok sa social media, pero wala naman,” Tulfo told reporters.

(So far, I haven’t heard anything. There are rumors on social media, but that’s all.)

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito echoed Tulfo’s remarks, saying he has also not been approached regarding any leadership change.

“I might be one of the last to be approached, as I am part of the leadership as Deputy Majority Leader,” Ejercito said.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano also played down the coup rumors, saying there are not enough numbers to unseat Sotto.

“There are always discussions. There are people happy with our direction, and there are people who are not happy with it. Personally, I think everyone is campaigning instead of governing,” Cayetano said.

“It really comes down to whether you can get 13 people of like minds. But as of today, that 13 is not there, or those 13 votes are not present,” he added.

Sotto assumed the Senate presidency in September 2025, replacing Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.—MCG, GMA Integrated News