House recognizes Gatchalian-led Senate Secretary for SONA preps

House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil listed Renato Bantug, Jr. as her Senate counterpart in an official communication for preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

In her letter to various government agencies for the first 2026 SONA Inter-Agency Coordination meeting, Garafil identified Bantug as Senate Secretary even as Sen. Alan Cayetano continues to insist that he remains a Senate leader and that Atty. Jose Luis Montales is the Senate Secretary.

The Cayetano bloc has been refusing to recognize the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president by a 12-member Senate plenary. Gatchalian’s election happened after Senator Tito Sotto put forward a motion declaring all positions vacant, a motion that was approved and ousted Cayetano as Senate President.

“In line with the ongoing preparations for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President on 27 July 2026, may we respectfully invite you and the key officials from your office to the first SONA Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting rescheduled on Tuesday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m., Daniel Z. Romualdez Hall, 2nd Floor, North Wing, House of Representatives,” Garafil said, referring to the annual SONA held at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

“In compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 114 s. 2026 to adopt energy conservation protocols, please be advised that the agency's participation is limited to five attendees only,” Garafil added.

To facilitate the necessary administrative arrangements, Garafil also requested the names of the attendees, vehicle details, and copies of presentations.

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III had already recognized Gatchalian’s election as top Senate leader on the same day of the latter’s election, saying that the “Senate will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence, and dedication to the public interest” under Gatchalian’s leadership.

Aside from Senate who will be represented by Bantug, other agencies invited by Garafil include:

• Presidential Management Staff
• Presidential Communications Office
• Office of Presidential Protocol
• Presidential Legislative Liaison Office
• Presidential Broadcast Staff - Radio Television Malacañang
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
• Office of the President
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Philippine National Police
• Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
• National Capital Region Police Office and
• Presidential Security Command

—LDF, GMA News