Cayetano-bloc senators say they support leadership change

Senators who were part of the former majority under Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday expressed support for the new majority following the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president.

“Congratulations. We’re ready to work,” Senator Imee Marcos said.

Senator Loren Legarda also expressed her “full support” for Gatchalian.

“Trese na sila eh, legal na [they’re already 13, it’s now legal],” she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Bong Go said that this is democracy.

“Gusto ko maka-trabaho tayo. Alang alang na lang po sa mga kababayan natin. Ang gulo na po ngayon, sana po makabalik tayo sa normal natin na pamumuhay,” he said.

(I want us to work. For the public. It’s chaotic now, I hope that we can go back to normal.)

Also present in the video was Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

In an earlier interview, Marcos said she was “okay” with the shakeup.

"Ah, okay," Marcos remarked when told that the new majority now had 13 members, following the transfer of Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who were former members of Cayetano's bloc.

“Congratulations. We’re ready to work,” she added.

When questioned further if she was fine that Gatchalian's bloc was now the majority, Marcos responded, "Okay, oo (that's okay, yes)."

Meanwhile, Legarda extended her congratulations to Gatchalian. She said she was also willing to work with the new majority.

“1998 pa ako. I’ve been there, done that. Number one… congratulations. I’m truly, sincerely, happy (for) Sherwin. He’s a good friend, very competent, brilliant, disciplined. And we work well together, said Legarda, who held the Senate president pro tempore post with the support of the Cayetano bloc.

“Congratulations. So happy for him, for the institution,” she added.

During the special session, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri nominated Gatchalian as Senate president. He replaced Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who conceded his post prior to the special session.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said all 13 senators present voted "unanimously."

Meanwhile, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III was elected as the new Senate president pro tempore.

Legarda also congratulated Sotto and Zubiri.

"They have 13 votes, so we respect and appreciate and recognize the 13 votes to elect the officers of the Senate," she said.

In a separate ambush interview, Senator Raffy Tulfo said all senators should now set aside their differences and work together.

"Move on na tayo (Let's move on). Set aside all the difference and work again," he said.

However, when asked about the absence of the minority, Tulfo said he did not know why they were not there.

"Anyway, we're extending our hands of reconciliation. Sana wag nila damdamin 'yung mga nasabi, mga nagawa namin, and I apologize for the Filipino people doon sa mga nangyaring bickering in the past few days," he said.

(Anyway, we're extending our hands of reconciliation. We hope they will not take to heart the things we said and did, and I apologize to the Filipino people for the bickering that occurred over the past few days.)

"Sana kalimutan natin 'yun at magtrabaho na tayo," he added.

(Let's move on from that and let's get to work.) — VDV/BM, GMA News