TIMELINE: Alan Peter Cayetano’s tumultuous Senate presidency

Alan Peter Cayetano’s tumultuous Senate presidency has ended.

Cayetano had risen to the Senate presidency on May 11, a Monday, after his bloc ousted Senator Tito Sotto in a dramatic coup.

Weeks later, on June 3, Cayateno was ousted after a senators declared the seats vacant and made Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate pro tempore and acting Senate president.

Cayetano, however, had asserted that he was still the “legitimate” Senate president and those who wanted him out didn’t have the numbers.

But on Wednesday, June 17, Cayetano gave up, relinquishing his claim to the Senate presidency shortly before the Senate convened for a special session. In that session, Gatchalian was elected as Senate president.

Here’s a timeline of the turbulent weeks that shook the Senate:

May 11, 2026

After months in hiding, Senator Bato dela Rosa, facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity allegations tied to the Duterte drug war, shows up at the Senate to support Cayetano.

As Dela Rosa arrives, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempt to arrest him. Cayetano declares he will not allow Dela Rosa’s arrest inside Senate grounds, saying he is under the upper chamber’s “protective custody.”

Cayetano unseats Sotto and takes over the Senate presidency in a surprise coup backed by other Duterte allies.

The Senate complex is placed on lockdown. Senators cite NBI agents in contempt. Dela Rosa questions then-Senate sergeant-at-arms Rene Samonte for allowing the NBI to go after him.

May 12, 2026

Senators Tito Sotto, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, and Kiko Pangilinan sign a resolution, urging Senator Bato dela Rosa to surrender to “the proper authorities” amid the transmittal of the ICC warrant against him.

May 13, 2026

The Senate complex is locked down for a second time. Tension subsequently grips the complex as Senate security personnel and National Bureau of Investigation agents exchange gunfire.

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Cayetano holds a brief press conference where he, in response to questions, criticizes the senators who backed the resolution seeking Dela Rosa’s surrender.

Outside the Senate, a crowd gathers to demand the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of Dela Rosa. Among them is former senior associate justice Antonio Carpio who stresses that the Senate should not be an asylum for fugitives.

May 14, 2026

Dela Rosa leaves the Senate building in the wee hours, which Cayetano confirms during a press conference hours later.

Reacting to speculation that the Senate coup is in relation to Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Cayetano, a known Duterte ally, says the upper chamber will convene as an impeachment court on May 18.

Cayetano also goes ballistic when asked to comment on observations that the Senate standoff was “staged” to help Dela Rosa flee.

Amid these developments, Cayetano calls on Senate employees to “be the best version of ourselves in the next few days,” in reference to the impeachment proceedings at the upper chamber.

May 15, 2026

The Office of the Ombudsman orders the preventive suspension of the then Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca over the shooting incident.

Aplasca, a Philippine Military Academy classmate of Dela Rosa, had fired warning shots during the confrontation.

May 17, 2026

Former student leaders and activists from the University of the Philippines Diliman call on Cayetano, a student leader when he was at UP, to step down as Senate president.

Student formations Samasa and Nagkaisang Tugon say Cayetano showed a “profound failure in judgment, leadership, and institutional responsibility.” Cayetano had run under Tugon during his UP days.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon says in a media interview that Cayetano, as Senate president, should be held accountable for what happened at the upper chamber.

May 18, 2026

The Senate convenes as an impeachment court. Prior to this, there were talks that Cayetano would be ousted as Senate president soon.

Speaking during the Luzon Evangelical Leaders’ Fellowship for “prayer and Senate direction” that same day, Cayetano shares how he won the Senate presidency, with the guidance of Senator Chiz Escudero.

May 20, 2026

Senator Risa Hontiveros’ privilege speech on the exchange of gunfire at the Senate triggers an emotional outburst from Senator Pia Cayetano, Alan’s sister. Pia’s meltdown sparks memes and even songs to reflect the general negative public sentiment about the incident and how it reflects on the new Senate leadership.

Later, when the mood lightens, Cayetano jokes during the plenary session that he “might vote for” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian one day. He says this after cracking a joke that only Gatchalian laughs at.

May 25, 2026

Members of the minority bloc slam Senator Imee Marcos over her video presentation, which insinuated that the minority senators were quietly backing moves to revise the Constitution. Senators from the minority bloc dismiss the presentation as a “conspiracy theory” video, saying it lacked basis.

Senator Migz Zubiri moves to strike Marcos’ presentation from the record, branding it a “horrible propaganda video.” Cayetano urges his ally Marcos to voluntarily withdraw the video presentation from the Senate records, which she agreed to.

May 26, 2026

Minority bloc senators walk out of the plenary after heated debates on the majority’s push to amend the rules and allow online participation in the session under “justifiable reasons.”

Members of the minority bloc question the process by which the majority bloc takes up Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal to allow online voting.

Senator Erwin Tulfo also questions the push to fast-track deliberations on Marcoleta’s motion, saying it could be aimed at accommodating some senators who might be arrested and detained soon.

June 1, 2026

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a member of the Cayetano bloc, is arrested at the Senate over plunder and graft charges related to flood control projects.

Allies of the Cayetano bloc skip the scheduled session, effectively paralyzing the Senate due to the lack of a quorum.

June 2, 2026

Senators from the Cayetano bloc skip the scheduled session again. Cayetano says they will not attend the session to keep control of the Senate blue ribbon committee and other panels.

June 3, 2026

In a surprise move, Senator Chiz Escudero joins the Gatchalian bloc, helping them form a quorum and convene the session.

Cayetano is ousted as Senate president after lawmakers declare the position vacant. Win Gatchalian is elected Senate president pro tempore during the session.

Cayetano questions the legality of the proceedings, insisting that he remains the Senate’s “legal” and “moral” president. He argues that Gatchalian’s group lacks the numbers.

The Senate later adjourns sine die.

June 4, 2026

The Cayetano bloc stages its own blue ribbon committee hearing, despite it being deemed invalid by newly installed Senate blue ribbon committee chair Erwin Tulfo.

The hearing proceeds without the participation of the committee secretariat.

Before the hearing, a commotion takes place at the Senate lobby involving Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Senator Pia Cayetano, who claims she remains the legitimate chairperson of the blue ribbon committee.

Pia alleges that Remulla and Senate security personnel prevented 18 alleged former security aides of ex-congressman Zaldy Co from entering the Senate premises. The hearing later turns into a platform for accusations linking members of the Gatchalian bloc to the alleged corruption.

June 8, 2026

During a blue ribbon committee hearing led by Erwin Tulfo, Senator Raffy Tulfo points to several inconsistencies and gaps in the testimony of the 18 alleged former security aides.

Although invited to attend the hearing, the group does not appear. Instead, its members attend a press conference in Senator Robin Padilla’s office.

June 16, 2026

Cayetano and his senator-allies seek the Supreme Court’s intervention to recognize him as Senate president.

June 17, 2026

Gatchalian is formally elected Senate president during a special session.

An hour before the session begins, Cayetano announces that he is giving up his claim to the Senate presidency after Senator Joel Villanueva informs him of his decision to support Gatchalian, effectively securing the latter the numbers needed to take the chamber’s top post. – Rappler.com