Palace recognizes Gatchalian as new Senate chief

Malacañang has formally recognized Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the acting head of the Senate, citing legal precedent and parliamentary procedure as the basis for its position.

Speaking at a Palace briefing on Thursday, Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive branch acknowledges the leadership assumed by Gatchalian following his election during Wednesday’s Senate session.

“Ang kinikilala ng Palasyo ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said.

Gatchalian’s election took place after senators belonging to the minority bloc, together with Francis Escudero, convened a session, established a quorum, and proceeded with Senate proceedings. 

During the same session, Juan Miguel Zubiri was chosen to head the Senate committee on rules, while former Senate President Vicente Sotto III administered Gatchalian’s oath of office.

The shift in leadership followed a period of uncertainty in the chamber triggered by the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the absence of members aligned with the previous majority coalition led by former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Their nonattendance resulted in several canceled sessions over recent days.

Cayetano has rejected the development, describing the leadership transition as an “illegal coup d’etat” and maintaining that he does not recognize the authority of the newly formed 12-member majority bloc.

Castro, however, emphasized that the Palace’s position rests on jurisprudence, particularly the historic Avelino vs. Cuenco ruling, which has been invoked in previous disputes involving Senate leadership and quorum issues.

She added that comparable principles were cited during the Senate leadership controversy involving former Senate President Franklin Drilon in 2015.

According to Castro, Malacañang deemed it appropriate to recognize the new Senate leadership because it emerged through what the Palace considers a legitimate parliamentary process.