MANILA, Philippines — A brewing leadership coup inside the Senate is reportedly being organized by members of the pro-Duterte bloc in a high-stakes effort to prevent the chamber from fully transforming into an impeachment court once the expected articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte are transmitted from the House of Representatives.

Highly placed Senate sources revealed that at least two to three senators aligned with the Duterte political camp have been working “overnight and nonstop” to secure support for a dramatic leadership overhaul that would remove Senate President Tito Sotto from his post.

According to a highly trusted source familiar with the alleged operation, senators and political intermediaries have been quietly approaching members of the Senate, offering political concessions and committee accommodations in exchange for support in a planned Senate coup.

“The objective is clear,” the source said. “Prevent the Senate from stabilizing as an impeachment court under Sotto’s leadership.”

The same source claimed that the plan involves replacing Sotto with either Senator Pia Cayetano or Senator Camille Villar as the next Senate president, should the numbers materialize. Neither Cayetano nor Villar has been interviewed to validate this.

An earlier internal scenario reportedly floated the possibility of installing Senator Loren Legarda as Sotto’s replacement, though sources said discussions eventually shifted toward alternative candidates perceived to be more acceptable to key Duterte-aligned operators.

The alleged maneuvering comes as political tensions escalate ahead of the anticipated transmittal of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte. On Monday, the articles of impeachment are expected to be formally sent to the Senate following what sources describe as overwhelming support from members of the House of Representatives.

Former congressman Terry Ridon said that, based on his information and estimates, approximately 215 lawmakers have already committed to supporting the transmission of the impeachment complaint to the Senate — more than enough to meet the constitutional threshold to move the process forward.

“The numbers appear to be there already,” Ridon reportedly said. “The momentum inside the House has become difficult to reverse.”

Sources further disclosed that the purported Senate coup effort also includes moves against Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, particularly his continued role in the Blue Ribbon Committee.

According to insiders, influential business personalities and several major contractors previously named in past controversies by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are allegedly backing efforts to remove Lacson from his strategic committee influence to prevent the signing and release of the committee’s final Blue Ribbon report.

One of these contractors, a source shared, reportedly allocated a so-called “war kitty” to destroy Lacson’s reputation.

The source alleged that some sectors fear the final report could trigger additional political and legal complications for personalities connected to ongoing investigations.

“This is no longer just about the impeachment,” the source claimed. “There are broader interests at play involving investigations, political survival, and control of the Senate.”

Neither Sotto, Cayetano, Villar, nor Lacson immediately issued statements on the alleged coup plans.

The Office of the Vice President likewise has yet to comment on reports of intensified political operations inside the Senate.

Political analysts note that Senate leadership struggles are not uncommon in Philippine politics, especially during periods of heightened national political instability. However, observers warn that any attempt to abruptly reorganize Senate leadership while impeachment proceedings loom could significantly deepen divisions within the country’s political institutions.

“The Senate is entering one of the most delicate moments in recent political history,” one veteran political observer said. “Any perception that leadership changes are being engineered to influence impeachment proceedings will inevitably raise serious constitutional and political questions.”