A minority group of senators known as the "Solid Bloc" declared support for Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the next Senate president on May 24, 2026.
This move signals a significant challenge to the current leadership and reflects deep instability within the upper house. The push for a new president comes as the chamber struggles with internal conflict and reports of a political coup.
The minority group, identified as SB-11, consists of 11 senators [1]. This bloc is positioning Gatchalian as a stabilizing alternative to the current administration of the Senate. The group said their decision is a direct response to the chaos that has permeated the Senate chamber since Alan Peter Cayetano assumed leadership.
According to reports, the atmosphere in Manila has been marked by persistent talk of a coup — a situation the SB-11 members believe necessitates a change in leadership to restore order. The bloc said Gatchalian is the appropriate candidate to navigate the current turmoil and lead the legislative body forward.
While the SB-11 has made its position clear, the success of this bid depends on whether other senators will break from the current majority. The tension in the chamber has escalated as the minority bloc continues to push for Gatchalian's appointment to replace Cayetano.
“The 11-member minority "Solid Bloc" in the Philippine Senate announced that it backs Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.”
The emergence of the SB-11 bloc indicates a formalization of opposition against Alan Peter Cayetano's leadership. If the minority can successfully recruit more senators to their cause, it could lead to a shift in legislative priorities and a reconfiguration of power dynamics within the Philippine Senate, potentially stalling or accelerating specific policy agendas depending on Gatchalian's platform.
