MANILA — Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate president of the Philippines after 13 of 24 senators voted in his favor. His election removed Alan Peter Cayetano from the position, ending a two-week leadership dispute.

Gatchalian and Cayetano had both claimed the Senate presidency based on differing legal interpretations of quorum rules. Cayetano conceded defeat in the vote on Wednesday. Gatchalian is a political ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while Cayetano supports former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Cayetano had assumed the Senate presidency on May 11, securing leadership with the backing of Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa previously served as national police chief under Duterte. The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa on May 11, identifying him as a co-perpetrator alongside Duterte in the killings of drug suspects. Dela Rosa returned to hiding after the warrant was issued and remains at large.

The Senate leadership dispute occurred during broader political disagreements between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. The Philippine House of Representatives impeached Sara Duterte last month. The articles of impeachment against her include charges of unexplained wealth and publicly threatening to assassinate Marcos. The House of Representatives is controlled by allies of Marcos.

Sara Duterte denied the allegations against her. Supporters of Sara Duterte claimed the allegations were fabricated to prevent her from running for president in the 2028 election. The Philippine Senate is expected to begin her impeachment trial in July.

Sara Duterte also blamed Marcos for the arrest of her father, Duterte, and for his transfer to the ICC in The Hague last year. Duterte is currently detained and is scheduled to stand trial at the ICC beginning in November. The ICC intends to try him for alleged crimes against humanity related to an anti-drug campaign during his presidency that resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspects. Duterte has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings. Jean Franco, a political professor at the University of the Philippines, reacted to the leadership change by stating, "It's a relief." Franco also said, "The country's democracy, with its weak and fragile institutions, faces more headwinds."