SENATE President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Thursday, May 17, struck down rumors that he will be replaced on Monday to allow him to prepare for his re-election bid in 2019.

“It is not true that there will be changes in the Senate leadership come Monday (May 21). No such thing,” Pimentel said in a statement.

Sources said about 15 members of the majority bloc have agreed to move for a change in leadership because Pimentel might be preoccupied with his re-election bid in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Pimentel has reportedly asked that he be allowed to retain his position until October or November.

Sources have also cited a possible revamp of the committee chairmanships before the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte in July.

Pimentel was elected as Senate President in 2016. He is also the president of the ruling PDP-Laban party. (PS Jun Sarmiento/SunStar Philippines)