No formal request yet for special session – Sherwin

MANILA, Philippines — The bloc led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has yet to formally request President Marcos to call a special session to address legislative measures and military promotions delayed by the ongoing Senate leadership impasse.

Speaking to reporters last Saturday, Gatchalian explained that the newly installed 12-member majority is still finalizing the legislative and administrative agenda to be tackled during the planned special session.

He also dismissed speculations that a presidential call for a special session would serve as cue that the new majority has successfully recruited additional members to solidify his bloc’s leadership.

“It’s difficult to answer. Now, what is important in a special session, typically it is being done when there is unfinished business,” Gatchalian explained.

Despite the bitter standoff over the chamber’s leadership, Gatchalian expressed readiness to hold a face-to-face dialogue with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s camp to break the legislative gridlock.

“I know even Senator Alan wants what’s good for the country,” he said.

When asked how the competing camps would realistically broker the meeting given that both sides have issued conditional invitations to each other, Gatchalian said they would leverage their long-standing personal relationship to arrange the talks privately.

Chiz denies Palace hand

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday denied allegations that Malacañang brokered his crossover to the newly installed Senate majority, maintaining that his move was an independent decision meant to end the chamber’s paralyzing deadlock.

“None. For me, the Palace’s position does not have anything to do with my position as senator,” Escudero said in his podcast.

He also denied that his choice was influenced by the charges he is currently facing, including one before the ombudsman over the flood control scam.

Escudero challenged the Cayetano bloc to elevate the leadership dispute to the judiciary.