An election for all positions in the Senate of the Philippines was held on June 17, 2026, during a special session of Congress called by President Bongbong Marcos. It was the fifth leadership election of the Senate in the 20th Congress and the 57th election for the Senate presidency in the chamber's history. This was the first time in the history of the Philippine Senate that five leadership changes took place in a single Congress, with the presidency settled in a special session.
This election by acclamation ousted incumbent Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano and installed disputed president pro tempore Sherwin Gatchalian as president of the Senate. It ended a two-week long leadership dispute on who was the legitimate Senate president after Gatchalian was elected as president pro tempore on June 3, 2026, with only a 12-member quorum.
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Background
Special session called by President Marcos
On June 15, 2026, President Bongbong Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1318, which called Congress to hold a special session on June 17, 2026 to tackle priority national issues. Earlier, on June 14, 2026, Senator Joel Villanueva, said in a video message aired during a worship service of the Jesus Is Lord Church, that he would attend a special session if it was to be called by President Marcos.
Election
Leadership election
Prior to the start of the Senate's special session on June 17, 2026, Alan Peter Cayetano conceded the Senate presidency and acknowledged that Gatchalian's bloc would soon have the numbers to oust him. Senator Joel Villanueva later attended the special session. Only thirteen senators were present at the opening of the session, as members of Cayetano's bloc did not attend. After a constitutional quorum was declared, Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri proceeded with the election for Senate president and nominated Gatchalian for the position. Gatchalian was the sole nominee and was elected by acclamation.
Aftermath
Former Senate president Tito Sotto was later chosen as president pro tempore, succeeding Gatchalian.