Win Gatchalian elected Senate President
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has replaced Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President after a chaotic leadership dispute.
Gatchalian was elected SP in a special Congress session on Wednesday, June 17, making him the fourth senator to take the position in the 20th Congress.
The Senate constituted a quorum with 13 senators present at the session, including Sen. Chiz Escudero and Sen. Joel Villanueva, who were previously part of the opposing bloc. In the Senate, a quorum of 13 members is needed to do business, hold votes, or make official decisions. Members of the Cayetano bloc were a no-show at the session.
It was Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri who nominated Gatchalian as Senate President. "Throughout his public service career as member of the House of Representatives, as mayor of Valenzuela City, and as senator, he has consistently proven his competence, his effective leadership, and his unparalleled work ethic," he said in his nomination speech.
"Siya na po palagi ang nagsasara ng Senado, staying late in his office even after adjournment," he continued, adding it shows Gatchalian's dedication and how hardworking he is "in preparing for the days ahead."
Zubiri called Gatchalian "the leader that the Senate needs in this time of division and disarray."
He said he has "every confidence" that Gatchalian "will be able to set the institution back on the right path, guided by the highest standards of service, integrity, and morality."
All 13 senators who attended the session voted unanimously.
Sen. Tito Sotto is the new Senate President Pro Tempore.
Zubiri is the new Senate majority leader, while Villanueva and Sen. JV Ejercito are the new deputy majority leaders.
Sen. Ping Lacson will serve as the vice chairperson of the Sen. Erwin Tulfo-led Blue Ribbon Committee alongside Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Per Zubiri, the rest of the majority senators are also part of the committee, except Escudero, who is facing corruption allegations in the flood control scandal.
Cayetano concedes as SP
Earlier in the day, Cayetano conceded the Senate presidency, saying that the Gatchalian bloc was able to get enough numbers to elect a new SP through Villanueva.
"The arithmetic has changed. The Constitution has not. And now, after speaking with Sen. Joel Villanueva, it appears our colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President," Cayetano said in a Facebook post. "I will not stand in the way of that vote."
Cayetano also expressed his gratitude for the time he spent as SP, calling it the "honor of my life."
"I may leave the position of SP, but I am honored to still be your PS—your Public Servant," he continued.
Senate leadership dispute
The Cayetano bloc has been absent from Senate sessions since June 1 as a protest against the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges tied to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The upper chamber underwent a leadership change on June 3 after Gatchalian's bloc secured a quorum, allowing the Senate to resume session following two days of deadlock.
The standoff halted Senate proceedings and prompted then-minority lawmakers to call for Cayetano's resignation, arguing that his actions violated Senate rules. During the resumed session, Sotto moved to declare all leadership positions vacant, triggering a reorganization and committee reshuffle.
Cayetano, however, called the move an "illegal coup d'état" and maintained that he remained the legitimate Senate President.
The Senate had been divided since then. It adjourned sine die on June 3. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos later ordered Congress to convene in a special session on June 17 for priority bills.
