Elections for the Senate presidency are held at least every three years, and have been held 57 times since the establishment of the office in 1916. Prior to the emergence of the multi-party system in the Philippines after the reestablishment of the bicameral legislature in 1987, major political parties in the Senate selected a candidate for the body's presidency from among its members as their nominee. In recent decades, where multiple parties are represented in the Senate, internal alliances between different parties are formed to create a bloc that enables its members to choose a candidate for Senate president. The votes are traditionally cast by roll call, or, if there is only one nominee for the position, the candidate is elected by acclamation. Thirteen votes out of the full membership of the Senate are required to elect a president, although past elections held in rump sessions were conducted with the minimum number of members in session for a quorum. Only senators who are present are eligible to vote and to become candidates for the presidency of the Senate.
While no elections in which a candidate did not receive a majority vote have occurred, the roll call is presumed to be repeated until the Senate elects a president.
Altogether, 25 individuals have served as Senate president throughout Philippine legislative history, five of whom served non-consecutive terms and twelve of whom served tenures across two or more legislatures or Congresses. Two Senate presidents are tied for the most electoral victories in chamber's history. The first and longest-serving president of the Senate, Manuel L. Quezon, who served for 16 consecutive years from 1916 to 1935, and Eulogio Rodriguez, the second-longest-serving officeholder behind Quezon with a total tenure of 10 years and 113 days, were both elected seven times to the Senate presidency.
The first election for the president of the Senate took place on October 16, 1916, the day when the Philippine Senate was established and when the 4th Legislature began, following the 1916 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon, a senator from the fifth district, was elected president of the Senate by acclamation.[2]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on October 16, 1919, at the start of the 5th Legislature, following the 1919 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on October 16, 1922, at the start of the 6th Legislature, following the 1922 elections in which members of the Colectivista faction of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on October 16, 1919, at the start of the 7th Legislature, following the 1925 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 16, 1928, at the start of the 8th Legislature, following the 1928 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 16, 1931, at the start of the 9th Legislature, following the 1931 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 16, 1934, at the start of the 10th Legislature, following the 1934 elections in which members of the Democratico faction of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Manuel L. Quezon was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on June 9, 1945, when the 1st Commonwealth Congress finally convened after the end of World War II which had prevented senators elected in 1941 from taking office, following the 1941 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won all twenty-four Senate seats. Manuel Roxas was elected president of the Senate.
On May 25, 1946, on the opening day of the 2nd Commonwealth Congress, senators from the minority walked out of session after the majority argued that a majority vote shall be enough for the chamber to organize itself. The minority senators, led by Tomás Confesor, insisted that the rules of the pre-World War II Senate should apply.[3] An election for the president of the Senate took place three days later on May 28, 1946, following the 1946 elections in which members of the Liberal Party won a majority of the seats. José Avelino was elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 26, 1948, at the opening of the third regular session of the 1st Congress, following the 1947 elections in which members of the Liberal won a majority of the seats. José Avelino was re-elected president of the Senate.
On February 21, 1949, José Avelino was ousted from the Senate presidency after Avelino and nine of his supporters walked out of session. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Mariano Jesús Cuenco was elected president of the Senate. Avelino branded the subsequent session, his ouster and Cuenco's election as illegal, while President Elpidio Quirino recognized Cuenco as the new Senate president.[4]
February 1949 election for president of the Senate
An election for the president of the Senate took place on December 30, 1949, at the start of the 2nd Congress, following the 1949 elections in which members of the Liberal Party won a majority of the seats. Mariano Jesús Cuenco was re-elected president of the Senate.
December 1949 election for president of the Senate
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 28, 1952, at the opening of the third regular session of the 2nd Congress, following the 1951 elections in which members of the Liberal Party won a majority of the seats. Mariano Jesús Cuenco was re-elected president of the Senate.
On April 17, 1952, Quintín Paredes was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Camilo Osías was elected president of the Senate.
April 17, 1952 election for president of the Senate
On April 30, 1952, Camilo Osías was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Eulogio Rodriguez was elected president of the Senate.
April 30, 1952 election for president of the Senate
On April 17, 1953, Eulogio Rodriguez was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Camilo Osías was elected president of the Senate.
On May 20, 1953, Camilo Osías was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Jose Zulueta was elected president of the Senate.
On November 30, 1953, Jose Zulueta was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 2nd Congress. Eulogio Rodriguez was elected president of the Senate.
November 1953 election for president of the Senate
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 25, 1954, at the start of the 3rd Congress, following the 1953 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Eulogio Rodriguez was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 23, 1956, at the opening of the third regular session of the 3rd Congress, following the 1955 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Eulogio Rodriguez was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 27, 1958, at the start of the 4th Congress, following the 1957 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Eulogio Rodriguez was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 25, 1960, at the opening of the third regular session of the 4th Congress, following the 1959 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Eulogio Rodriguez was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 22, 1962, at the start of the 5th Congress, following the 1961 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Eulogio Rodriguez was re-elected president of the Senate.
On April 5, 1963, Eulogio Rodriguez was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 5th Congress. Ferdinand Marcos was elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 27, 1964, at the opening of the third regular session of the 5th Congress, following the 1963 elections in which members of the Liberal won a majority of the seats. Ferdinand Marcos was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 17, 1966, at the start of the 6th Congress, following the 1965 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Arturo Tolentino was elected president of the Senate.
On January 26, 1967, Arturo Tolentino was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 6th Congress. Gil Puyat was elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 22, 1968, at the opening of the third regular session of the 6th Congress, following the 1967 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Gil Puyat was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 26, 1970, at the start of the 7th Congress, following the 1969 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Gil Puyat was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on January 24, 1972, at the opening of the third regular session of the 7th Congress, following the 1971 elections in which members of the Nacionalista Party won a majority of the seats. Gil Puyat was re-elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 27, 1987, at the start of the 8th Congress, following the 1987 elections on the inauguration of the restored Senate. Only 23 senators were present, as the 24th and final senator was still undetermined due to delays in the tallying of votes. In a near-unanimous vote, Jovito Salonga was elected president of the Senate.[6]
On December 13, 1991, Salonga, agreeing that there was no quorum, adjourned the session. Later that morning in a rump session of 13 senators (the smallest number that can constitute a quorum), an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held. Neptali Gonzales was elected president of the Senate, while the pro-Salonga senators closeted themselves in his office.[7]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 27, 1992, at the start of the 9th Congress, following the 1992 elections. Neptali Gonzales was re-elected president of the Senate.[8]
On January 18, 1993, Neptali Gonzales resigned from the Senate presidency after losing support of the majority, including renegade members of his party, LDP, and Lakas–NUCD senators. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 9th Congress. Edgardo Angara was elected president of the Senate.[9]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 25, 1995, at the start of the 10th Congress, following the 1995 elections. Edgardo Angara was re-elected president of the Senate.[10]
On August 29, 1995, Edgardo Angara was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 10th Congress. Neptali Gonzales was elected president of the Senate.[11]
On October 10, 1996, Neptali Gonzales resigned from the Senate presidency, admitting that he had lost the support the majority of his peers. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 10th Congress. Ernesto Maceda was elected president of the Senate.[12]
On January 26, 1998, Ernesto Maceda was ousted from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 10th Congress. Neptali Gonzales was elected president of the Senate.
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 27, 1998, at the start of the 11th Congress, following the 1998 elections. Marcelo Fernan was elected president of the Senate.
On June 28, 1999, Marcelo Fernan resigned from the Senate presidency due to failing health. Senate president pro temporeBlas Ople was designated acting Senate president the same day. Fernan had died on July 11, 1999, between the first and second sessions of the 11th Congress. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new president of the Senate was held on July 26, 1999, when Congress reconvened. Blas Ople received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate.
On April 13, 2000, Blas Ople resigned from the Senate presidency due to a term-sharing agreement with Franklin Drilon. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 11th Congress. Franklin Drilon was elected president of the Senate via unanimous vote after Teofisto Guingona Jr. withdrew his candidacy after being nominated by Robert Barbers.[13]
On November 14, 2000, Franklin Drilon was ousted from the Senate presidency, with the impending impeachment trial of president Joseph Estrada. Drilon had previously attended anti-Estrada protests a week before, and had resigned from the ruling Lapian ng Masang Pilipino party. Juan Ponce Enrile motioned to declare all leadership positions vacant, which was sustained by a vote of 12–7. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 11th Congress. Nene Pimentel received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate. Had Pimentel not voted for himself, no one would have won the election, and a second ballot would have been called.[14]
November 2000 election for president of the Senate
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 24, 2001, on the opening day of the 12th Congress, two months after the 2001 elections. Franklin Drilon received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate.[15]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 27, 2004, on the opening day of the 13th Congress, two months after the 2004 elections. Franklin Drilon received a majority of the votes cast and was re-elected president of the Senate.[16]
On July 25, 2006, Franklin Drilon resigned from the Senate presidency. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 13th Congress. Manny Villar was elected president of the Senate by acclamation.[17]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 24, 2007, on the opening day of the 14th Congress, two months after the 2007 elections. Manny Villar received a majority of the votes cast and was re-elected president of the Senate.[18]
On November 17, 2008, Manny Villar resigned from the Senate presidency on the heels of the C-5 Road Extension controversy. Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 14th Congress. Juan Ponce Enrile was elected president of the Senate.[19]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 25, 2010, on the opening day of the 15th Congress, two months after the 2010 elections. Juan Ponce Enrile received a majority of the votes cast and was re-elected president of the Senate.[20]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 22, 2013, on the opening day of the 16th Congress, two months after the 2013 elections. Franklin Drilon received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate.[21]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 25, 2016, on the opening day of the 17th Congress, two months after the 2016 elections. Koko Pimentel received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate.[22]
On May 21, 2018, Koko Pimentel resigned from the Senate presidency.[23] Consequently, an intra-term election for a new Senate president was held on the same day, during the 17th Congress. On a basis of a term-sharing agreement, Tito Sotto was elected president of the Senate.[24]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 22, 2019, on the opening day of the 18th Congress, two months after the 2019 elections. Tito Sotto received a majority of the votes cast and was re-elected president of the Senate.[25]
An election for the president of the Senate took place on July 25, 2022, on the opening day of the 19th Congress, two months after the 2022 elections. Migz Zubiri received a majority of the votes cast and was elected president of the Senate.[26]
An election for president of the Senate took place on July 28, 2025, at the start of the 20th Congress, two months after the 2025 elections. Francis Escudero received a majority of the votes cast and was re-elected president of the Senate.[28]
↑Gwekoh, Sol H. (1948). Manuel L. Quezon: His Life and Career; A Philippine President Biography. Manila Philippines: University Publishing Company. p.81.
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