EXPLAINER: Why is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian 'Acting' Senate President for now?

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian took the oath as the new Senate President Pro Tempore on June 3, 2026, and assumed the role of Acting Senate President while the top leadership post remains officially vacant.

The political shift occurred after 12 senators declared a quorum and held a session. The Gatchalian-led bloc cited jurisprudence and precedent as its basis in declaring the quorum.

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero attended the session after being absent the past two days, and became the 12th senator the bloc needed.

Defining the quorum

The Gatchalian-led bloc declared a quorum with only 12 senators present, saying their number constituted a legal majority of the 22 senators currently under the jurisdiction of the Senate.

Gatchalian explained that this calculation stands on solid legal ground, citing the Supreme Court landmark ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.

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The bloc also pointed to a historical precedent from May 5, 2015. During that session, then Senate President Franklin Drilon declared a quorum with only 12 senators physically present because four members were abroad and three were detained, leaving only 17 available members.

The power of the pro tempore

The senators present voted to declare all positions vacant, and Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore to replace Senator Loren Legarda. In this role, he holds the full authority to preside over plenary sessions while the central leadership seat remains empty.

Under Section 5, Rule IV of the Senate Rules, the Senate President Pro Tempore automatically becomes the Acting President if the Senate President resigns, is removed, passes away, or becomes permanently incapacitated.

The 13th vote

Senator Erwin Tulfo clarified that Gatchalian cannot officially assume the full title of Senate President because the post requires a higher constitutional threshold.

Section 16, Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that a majority of all Senate members must vote to elect a Senate President.

This means that out of the 24 original Senate seats, a minimum of 13 votes is strictly required to elect a new Senate President. Because only 12 senators attended the June 3 session, the bloc falls exactly one vote short of permanently replacing Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Moving forward?

The new majority bloc issued a joint statement urging the chamber to move past political gridlock. “The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics," the bloc stated. "It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people.”

Cayetano strongly condemned the reorganization, framing it as a direct threat to democratic institutions. “They can try to remove me; they can kill me," Cayetano said. "But they will not kill the idea of a democratic Philippines led not by men but by law, led by the Philippine Constitution.” –NB, GMA News