Sherwin Gatchalian elected Senate president

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday was formally elected as the new Senate president, settling the two-week leadership row with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

During the special session, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri nominated Gatchalian as Senate president.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said all 13 senators present voted “unanimously.”

Gatchalian then took his oath of office as Senate President, administered by Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

In his nomination speech, Zubiri attested that Gatchalian is hardworking and ably led some notable committees, including the Committee on Energy, Committee on Economic Affairs, Committee on Basic Education, and the Committee on Finance.

“He's the leader that the Senate needs in this time of division and disarray, and he has done this before. I know he'll be able to rise above the fray and lead us back to our principal function, which is to attend to the work of legislation,” Zubiri said.

“I have every confidence that as Senate president, he'll be able to set the institution back on the right path, guided by the highest standards of service, integrity and morality. To my colleagues, I plead, let us elect Senate President Gatchalian and let us get back to our work in this hallowed institution,” he added.

A quorum was declared during the special session after 13 senators attended, including Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Joel Villanueva—both of whom were former members of the Cayetano bloc.

When asked what made him decide to switch sides, Villanueva just passed by reporters and said: “Let’s work, let’s work.”

Cayetano on Wednesday conceded the Senate presidency, admitting that “colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President.”

“I will not stand in the way of that vote. No leadership in a democracy is ever permanent; every office we hold is a loan, never a possession. To whoever this chamber lawfully elects, I extend my congratulations and my cooperation in advance," Cayetano said in a statement posted on Facebook.

To recall, 12 senators held a Senate session on June 3, declaring a quorum based on the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco (1949). They voted to declare all elected Senate positions vacant, including the Senate presidency.

Gatchalian was then elected Senate president pro tempore and was recognized by those present as acting Senate president.

Cayetano and eight other senators on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to declare as null and void the June 3 session.

During the session, none of the minority senators were present. But some of them eventually showed up during the Commission on Appointments’ hearing.

Senator Imee Marcos just said that she’s “okay” with the new majority.

Meanwhile, Senator Camille Villar said that she’s willing to cooperate with the new majority: “Yes, of course.”

Senator Loren Legarda, on the other hand, congratulated the new majority senators.

“Congratulations! I’m truly, sincerely happy kay Sherwin. He’s a good friend, very competent, brilliant, disciplined, and we work well together. Congratulations! So happy for him, for the institution,” she said.

She also congratulated Sotto, who replaced her as Senate President Pro Tempore: “...And willingly, happily I’ve relinquished because they have the 13 votes.”

Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano seemingly did not like the question whether they are ready to work and will support the new majority.

“May 13 di ba? Common sense di ba? What’s in the rules? What’s in the Constitution? When you have 13, ayun lang. So ‘pag hindi sumunod sa rules, doon lang naman kami may problema,” she told reporters.

During the CA hearing, officials from opposing sides, including Sotto and Marcoleta, exchanged pleasantries.

Other elections

During Wednesday's special session, Sotto was also nominated and elected as the new Senate president pro tempore.

Zubiri, who was previously elected as the Senate majority leader, also assumed the post of chairperson of the Committee on Rules.

Both Sotto and Zubiri took their respective oaths.

The new Senate leadership also elected chairpersons and members of permanent committees.

“I’m hoping for the best for the country. Ito naman talaga ‘yung normal programming, ‘yung mga bills. It may seem boring pero ayun ang trabaho talaga namin,” said Gatchalian. —KG, GMA News