Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore after the Senate reconvened Wednesday, paving the way for the minority bloc-led senators in attendance to declare him the acting Senate President.

In a report on GMA News Online, Gatchalian was installed Wednesday after the upper chamber reached a quorum following the appearance of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

Escudero was the only majority bloc member who at attended the Plenary session, breaking the two consecutive days the Senate did not hold session due to the majority bloc's continued absence.

Malacañang said it recognizes the leadership change in the Senate.

"Ang nangyari sa Senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at Rule of Law," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing shortly after Gatchalian took his oath as new Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Senator Loren Legarda.

(What happened in the Senate this afternoon was legal and in accordance with the rule of law.)

"Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at ang liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian," she added.

(The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.)