Former Senate leaders urge senators to settle leadership row

Former Senate Presidents on Friday called for the swift resolution to the ongoing Senate brouhaha as they urged incumbent lawmakers to instead focus on pressing national concerns, including the economy, food security, and energy security.

In a joint statement, former Senate Presidents Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Franklin Drilon, Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said they were speaking "out of a shared moral duty" to the institution they once led, emphasizing that the Senate's integrity and credibility must take precedence over political maneuvering.

"Those of us who once held the gavel know that the highest duty of a Senate President is not to cling to office but to leave the institution stronger, more respected, and more firmly bound to the rule of law than when he or she found it," the statement read.

The ex-Senate chiefs likewise appealed to incumbent legislators to "de-escalate public rhetoric that demeans the Senate and weakens confidence" in the chamber and to confine their disagreements to the Senate floor and other proper forums.

"We call on all incumbent senators, regardless of bloc or affiliation, to de-escalate public rhetoric that demeans the Senate and weakens confidence in it; to confine their disagreements to the floor and to the proper forums, where the arguments and the votes can be scrutinized by the public; and to prioritize the urgent work before the Senate over internal maneuvering," they said.

"We urge all members of the chamber to resolve this crisis swiftly, within the bounds of the Constitution, the rules, and long-standing practice. The country cannot afford an unstable Senate at a time of mounting economic pressures, security threats, and growing public distrust in institutions," they added.

Two factions --one led by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and the other by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano -- are fighting over Senate leadership. This developed after Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and later declared as acting Senate President following the surprise appearance of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero at the Plenary Hall on Wednesday.

It can be recalled the Senate has failed to convene for two consecutive session days amid the absence of the Cayetano-led bloc. However, Escudero's appearance broke the impasse and paved the way for senators in attendance to declare quorum and install Gatchalian.

Gatchalian said they were "compelled" to convene the Senate, stressing that Cayetano was absent from the two previously scheduled sessions.

"The chair would like to state for the record that we are compelled to call the session to order today. After the Senate adjourned on May 26, 2026, session was scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1, 2026 and on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 but the former Senate President failed to appear in both instances," Gatchalian said.

He also cited Article 6, Section 16(5) of the Constitution, which states that neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other House and said the quorum of 12 senators is based on the majority of 22 senators.

Gatchalian cited a ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) that found that an absolute majority of 12 out of 23 members could constitute a constitutional majority for quorum purposes.

Cayetano, however, insisted he remains the leader of the upper chamber, saying the other side failed to muster 13 votes to formally elect Gatchalian as Senate President.

"This is an illegal coup d’état na may kasamang pagbabasura ng ating Konstitusyon (accompanied by the trashing of our Constitution)," Cayetano warned. "I warned everyone about this from day one... Under our Constitution, under our Rules of the Senate, thirteen are required," he said.—LDF, GMA News