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Renalyn Ramirez - Philstar.com
June 3, 2026 | 5:54pm
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang acknowledged the “new majority” and the leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian as Senate sessions resumed on Wednesday, June 3 after a plenary appearance by Sen. Chiz Escudero broke the gridlock.
“Ang nangyari sa senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at rule of law. Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing shortly after the Senate session ended on Wednesday.
(What happened in the Senate this afternoon is in accordance with the law and the rule of law. The Palace acknowledges and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.)
The presence of Escudero paved the way for the resumption of Senate sessions after two days of failure to convene. After a quorum was declared with 12 senators present, Sen. Tito Sotto moved to declare all seats vacant. Gatchalian, as presiding officer, approved the motion.
Gatchalian was then elected Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Sen. Loren Legarda. New chairpersons for some Senate committees were also elected:
- Sen. JV Ejercito for Finance
- Sen. Tito Sotto for National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
- Sen. Ping Lacson for Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Accounts
- Sen. Erwin Tulfo for the Blue Ribbon Committee and Social Justice
- Sen. Raffy Tulfo for Public Services
- Sen. Bam Aquino for Basic Education
- Sen. Kiko Pangilinan for Agriculture
- Sen. Risa Hontiveros for Health and Demography
- Sen. Lito Lapid for Games and Amusement
- Sen. Chiz Escudero for Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement
- Sen. Migz Zubiri for Foreign Relations and Rules
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, however, clarified in a press briefing after the session adjourned that Cayetano remains Senate president because the rule requires the vote of 13 senators to officially oust him.
Illegal coup. Cayetano immediately went live to address the situation and described the changes in the Senate as an “illegal coup”.
“Wala pong ground para magkaroon ng acting president. This is an illegal coup d’état na may kasamang pagbabasura ng ating Konstitusyon,” Cayetano said.
(There is no ground to have an acting Senate president. This is an illegal coup d’état with a disregard for our Constitution.)
Cayetano also called himself the “legitimate, legal, and moral Senate president”.
Lower House approves. Meanwhile, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy released a statement on behalf of the House of Representatives through a Facebook post congratulating Gatchalian.
The lower chamber said the Senate “will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence, and dedication to the public interest” under Gatchalian’s leadership.
“We wish Acting Senate President Gatchalian every success as he leads the chamber in addressing the challenges and opportunities before our country.”
