By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Wednesday said it recognizes the legitimacy of the recent changes in Senate leadership after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as acting Senate President.
In a message shortly after Gatchalian took his oath as new Senate President Pro Tempore, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that the developments in the Senate were in accordance with the law and the rule of law.
“Ang nangyari sa Senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at Rule of Law,” Castro said.
“Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at ang liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” she added.
The 11-strong minority bloc was able to install Gatchalian as acting Senate President after Sen. Francis Escudero, member of the majority led by then Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, showed up at the session hall, establishing a quorum and convening a session.
After Sen. Vicente Sotto III moved to declare all elected positions in the Senate vacant, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was also elected as chairperson of the Committee on Rules as well as Renato Bantug Jr. as Senate Secretary and retired police major general Alfredo Sotto Corpuz as Sergeant-at-Arms.
The following senators were assigned committee chairships:
- Sen. JV Ejercito – Committee on Finance
- Sotto – Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
- Sen. Panfilo Lacson – Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs; and Accounts
- Sen. Erwin Tulfo – Committees on Blue Ribbon; and Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
- Sen. Raffy Tulfo – Committee on Public Services
- Sen. Bam Aquino – Committee on Basic Education
- Sen. Francis Pangilinan – Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform
- Sen. Risa Hontiveros – Committee on Health and Demography
- Sen. Lito Lapid – Committee on Games and Amusements
- Escudero – Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement
- Zubiri – Committees on Foreign Relations
In his statement, Gatchalian said the Senate was compelled to convene after Cayetano failed to appear during the scheduled resumption of sessions on June 1 and 2.
He also cited Article VI, Section 16(5) of the Constitution, which prohibits both the Senate and the House of Representatives to adjourn for more than three days without consent of the other chamber.
“Thus, in the absence of a duly consulted postponement and the continued absence of the Senate President, Senate President Pro Tempore and members of the majority, we were compelled to call the session to order,” he said.
Gatchalian said the quorum of 12 was based on the majority of 22 senators over whom the Senate could obtain jurisdiction, citing a Supreme Court ruling and a 2015 Senate precedent.
The current roster of senators decreased to 22 after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested on Monday while Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, remains in hiding.
In a separate statement, Escudero called the Senate impasse “untenable and unacceptable,” prompting him to take a stand.
“This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the Senate. My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance. This is not about loyalty, betrayal, or choosing one group over the other—this is about duty,” he said.
“Hindi ito usaping pampulitika. Wala akong sinasamahan o iniiwanang grupo, pangkat o paksyon. Hindi ko sinasabi na may mali o tama o may nagkulang o nagmalabis kaninuman. Ngunit hindi pwedeng manatili tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang naaapektuhan na ay ang mismong kakayahan ng Senado na gampanan ang kaniyang tungkulin sa bayan.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives welcomed Gatchalian as he assumes an “important responsibility” as acting Senate President.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III underscored the Senate’s essential role in advancing legislation, exercising oversight, and upholding democratic governance.
“We wish Acting Senate President Gatchalian every success as he leads the chamber in addressing the challenges and opportunities before our country,” Dy said in a statement. (with reports from Clay Pardilla, Bernard Ferrer, and Sheila Natividad / PTV News)
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