A group of senators led by Sen. Alan Cayetano has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify actions taken during a Senate session held on June 3 and led by a bloc associated with Sen. Win Gatchalian.
The petitioners include Cayetano and his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, along with Sens. Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher “Bong” Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla and Camille Villar. Also joining the petition is Atty. Jose Luis Montales.
Notably absent from the list of petitioners were Sens. Joel Villanueva and Mark Villar.
In their 87-page petition, the group asked the Supreme Court to declare invalid the June 3 session, during which Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
The petition also challenges actions taken during the same session involving Senate committees. According to the filing, all committees were declared vacant before several senators were elected to new leadership positions. Among those named was Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who was designated chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
The petitioners argued that the June 3 proceedings should be declared void and sought judicial recognition of what they described as the legitimate Senate leadership.
Specifically, the group asked the high court to declare that Alan Cayetano remains the Senate President and that Sen. Loren Legarda continues to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore.
The petition likewise seeks recognition of Montales as the lawful Senate Secretary.
The filing marks the latest development in an internal dispute over Senate leadership and the validity of actions taken during the contested June 3 session. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the petition.
