Change of leadership in Senate was within rule of law — Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) acknowledged the election of Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian as acting Senate president, saying it was conducted in accordance within the law and democratic processes.

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that the Executive branch respects the senators' decision and recognizes the leadership chosen by the chamber.

Castro said, “Ang nangyari sa Senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at rule of law (What happened in the Senate this afternoon is in accordance with the rule of law).”

“Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Win Gatchalian),” she said.

Gatchalian was elected on Wednesday after a push from the 11-member Senate minority bloc, led by former Senate President Tito Sotto.

Senator Chiz Escudero of the majority bloc had joined the 11-member minority bloc to elect Gatchalian. No other members of the majority bloc attended Wednesday's Senate session.

READ: Senator Win Gatchalian elected Senate President Pro Tempore

Gatchalian replaces Senator Loren Legarda who was elected on May 11 after a Senate leadership shakeup.

READ: Loren Legarda reelected Senate President Pro Tempore

Meanwhile, in an earlier report of the PNA, Sotto had stated that at least 13 senators are needed for a change of leadership in the Senate.

The PNA report quoted Sotto as saying in a radio interview, “You will always need the 13 signatures. Kahit na 14 o 15 lang ang senador na present, you still have to have 13. That's the rule, that's the law in the Constitution kung paano mag-e-elect ng Senate President (Even if only 14 or 15 senators are present, you still need 13. That’s the rule, that’s the law in the Constitution on how to elect a Senate President)."

However, the PNA report on Wednesday noted that "the Executive respects the decision of senators and recognizes the leadership chosen by the chamber."

EXPRESSION OF THANKS TO ESCUDERO

Meanwhile, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, posted a statement on his website, expressing gratitude to Escudero for his presence during Wednesday's Senate session and supporting the change of leadership.

"We express our deep appreciation and commend the courageous decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution. His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else," the statement read.

As for the issue on the lack of quorum, the senators' statment cited a precedent.

"On the issue of quorum, this is not an uncharted matter. The Supreme Court, in Avelino v. Cuenco, recognized the principle that a quorum of 12 is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate."

"There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold," the statement added.

A screen grab of a photo posted on the website of Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.

LETTER OF ADJOURNMENT

After Gatchalian's election on Wednesday, former Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales distributed a letter to senators at the Plenary Hall.

The letter indicates that Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has declared a sine die adjournment of the Senate until next month.

Cayetano's letter said, "Pursuant to the Rules of the Senate and the approved Legislative Calendar, and in accordance with tradition, the Senate is in sine die adjournment and is scheduled to resume regular session at at 10:00 am on 27 July 2026.

"During the adjournment period, Senate committees may continue to conduct hearings, meetings, consultations, and investigations in aid of legislation," the letter read.

CALL FOR CAYETANO'S RESIGNATION

The Senate minority or "Solid Bloc 11" on Tuesday, had called for Cayetano's resignation.

In a group statement, the minority said, "Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano SHOULD RESIGN as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate anymore."

The minority bloc criticized Cayetano for what it described as a failure to fulfill his responsibilities as Senate leader, following another day in which members of the majority bloc did not appear for session.

“What happened today was a clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution, because the Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” the statement read.

DEFENSE OF THE MAJORITY BLOC

Meanwhile, thet Senate Majority bloc defended its decision to withhold quorum during plenary sessions.

The senators said the move was necessary to safeguard the integrity of ongoing investigations.

One investigation of particular concern is the inquiry into flood control projects, which involves billions of pesos in government spending.

The probe seeks to determine whether funds were properly allocated and whether officials or private contractors should be held accountable.

The majority bloc insisted that Filipinos deserve a full accounting of how public money was used, warning that attempts to alter committee leadership overseeing these inquiries raise questions about timing and intent.

In a Facebook Live broadcast on June 2, Cayetano said, “Kailangan tingnan natin ang nagyayari sa Senado sa malaking konteksto ng katotohanan. Is the Senate for truth or not? What’s important to me is you don’t have a puppet or dependent Senate,” Cayetano said.

“Para mapagsilbihan kayo ng bagong Majority, we have to make sure na nariyan y’ung 13 [senators] para masubukan ninyo ano madedeliver namin sa inyo,” he added.

The senators cautioned that recent events should not be viewed in isolation.

Taken together—the arrest of senators, threats of further legal action, mounting political pressure, and attempts to reconfigure committee leadership—these developments raise legitimate concerns about the Senate’s independence and its ability to conduct investigations free from external influence, the majority bloc insisted.

-Paraluman News