Win Gatchalian is now Senate president pro tempore
Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has been elected as the new Senate president pro tempore.
On Wednesday, June 3, Gatchalian presided over the session, following a two-day absence of plenary sessions. While minority senators waited for the majority bloc to arrive, and with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano remained noticeably absent, Senator Francis Escudero from the majority suddenly joined the 11 minority members on the floor, paving the way for the session to convene.
Following a motion by Senator Tito Sotto to vacate all committee chairmanships, the Senate underwent a reorganization, electing Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore to replace Senator Loren Legarda.
Senator Erwin Tulfo after held a press conference explaining why they didn't elect a new Senate president.
"Because it’s 13 (senators). It’s in the law 13. Kailangan mo 13. We don’t have 13. But then we can elect the Pro Tempore because it doesn’t say 13," he said. "Senator Cayetano is still the Senate president… We cannot touch the Senate presidency because we don’t have 13. ‘Yung sinasabi po nila Marcoleta, hindi na sila majority. They only have 10."
New majority bloc reacts to Escudero, leadership reshuffle
In a statement on Senator Risa Hontiveros' Facebook page, the majority bloc said they admire Escudero for his "courageous decision" to "take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution."
"His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else," they wrote. "His presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside."
Citing Avelino v. Cuenco, they emphasized that the Supreme Court bases a quorum on the number of senators "who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate."
"There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold," the majority said.
They said that the Filipino people are expecting their senators to fulfill their duties.
"At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest," they said. "The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics. It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people."
This development follows Senator Panfilo Lacson’s confirmation that yet another Senate leadership shakeup is "in the works"—barely two weeks after Cayetano took the helm.
Just last week, Senator Kiko Pangilinan took to social media to announce that the Solid Bloc 11 is backing Gatchalian for the Senate presidency, amidst rumors of a chamber coup.
"Gusto naming lahat na kabilang ng SB-11, o Solid Bloc 11, na maging Senate President si Senator Sherwin 'Win' Gatchalian," Pangilinan wrote on Facebook.
"Napatunayan niya, lalo na sa mga deliberasyon para sa 2026 national budget, na kaya niyang protektahan ang pera ng bayan at matiyak na mapupunta ang pondo kung saan ito higit na kailangan," he continued..
Legislative work was disrupted since Monday as the majority bloc remain absent amid Senator Jinggoy Estrada's arrest for his plunder cases.
On June 2, the Senate minority bloc urged Cayetano to resign from his position after members of the majority failed to attend the Tuesday plenary session.
