Malacañang on Thursday formally recognized Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president, saying the development is grounded on established jurisprudence and long-standing parliamentary practice amid continuing leadership tensions in the upper chamber.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive branch acknowledges Gatchalian’s assumption of leadership following his election by members of the Senate’s newly formed majority bloc during Wednesday’s session.
“Ang kinikilala ng Palasyo ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said in a briefing.
Gatchalian was elected acting Senate president after senators from the minority bloc, joined by Senator Francis Escudero, were able to establish a quorum and proceed with Senate proceedings.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was also elected chairperson of the Committee on Rules, while former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III administered Gatchalian’s oath as the chamber’s most senior member.
The leadership shift came amid several days of political tension in the Senate, following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the absence of members of the former majority bloc led by former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, which resulted in the suspension of earlier sessions.
Cayetano has described the leadership change as an “illegal coup d’etat” and refused to recognize the authority of the group that installed Gatchalian, which he said consists of 12 senators.
Castro said Malacañang’s position is anchored on jurisprudence, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino vs. Cuenco, which has been used in past disputes involving quorum and Senate leadership.
She also pointed to a similar precedent during the 2015 leadership dispute involving then Senate President Franklin Drilon.
The Palace said it considered the transition valid, noting that it arose from what it described as a proper parliamentary process within the Senate.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Star
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