The Philippine Senate removed an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte as Senate president on Wednesday and elected a new leader just weeks before the ​expected start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was voted ‌Senate president in the special sitting, formalising the removal of Alan Peter Cayetano after a June 3 session when a bloc led by Gatchalian declared leadership posts vacant but failed to elect a ​replacement due to a lack of votes. Cayetano, who was only elected Senate president ​last month, and his allies in the upper chamber were absent ⁠from Wednesday’s session, which was called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to ensure the ​passage of urgent bills, including an anti-political-dynasty measure.

Full report : Philippine Senate removes Duterte ally as head, elects new leader ahead of VP impeachment trial.