Gatchalian-led bloc recognized by Executive department — Castro
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate bloc led by Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian is recognized by the Philippine government’s executive department, Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro said on Sunday, June 7.
In an interview DZBB, Castro said that the Palace will not recognize any leadership in the Senate except for Gatchalian, who was elected as Acting Senate President on June 3.
“Wala kikilalanin ang Palasyo, walang kikilalanin ang Ehekutibo kundi ang liderato lamang po ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So kung ano po pakikipag-ugnayan, kung hinihingi po sila ng special session, makipag-ugnayan lang po sila sa Pangulo dahil kinikilala po sila,” Castro said.
(The Palace will not recognize, the Executive will not recognize anyone else but the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So, as for any coordination—if they are requesting a special session, they should just coordinate with the president, because they are the ones who are recognized.)
Castro refuted Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano's claims of Malacañang's interference, stating that if the president were dictating terms, there would be no chaos in the Senate.
“Lahat ng kaguluhan sa Senado, 'yan ay utos o may permiso ni Senator Alan Cayetano. Ang lahat ng nangyari diyan ah pati 'yung sabi natin pati putukan pati 'yung pagbo-boycot. Hindi po 'yan diktan ng pangulo. Kagagawan po nila 'yan. So huwag niya pong ipasid ang kasalanan niya o ang pagkukulang niya sa pangulo,” Castro said.
(All of the chaos in the Senate, that was ordered or permitted by Senator Alan Cayetano. Everything that happened there, including what we call the exchange of fire and the boycotts, was not dictated by the president. That was their own doing. So, he should not pass the blame for his faults or shortcomings onto the president.)
Castro then urged Cayetano to act as a “true leader.”
“Marami pong nagsasabi na ‘wag kapit tuko sa pwesto. Sa ngayon po, ang kailangan po ay totoong lider, totoong public servant. Hindi sisilbihan ang sarili, hindi sisilbihan ang interest ng mga kaalyado. So, siguro ngayon 'yan tamang panahon na magpakabayani,” Castro said.
(Many are saying not to cling like a leech to the position. Right now, what is needed is a true leader, a true public servant. One who will not serve themselves, and will not serve the interests of their allies. So, maybe now is the right time to be a hero.)
In a separate Interview with DZBB, Gatchalian also denied that he is being used by anyone.
“Wala namang nagpapagamit kahit kanino. In fact, 'yung mga kasamahan naming majority, consesus building kami,” Gatchalian said.
(No one is allowing themselves to be used by anyone. In fact, among our colleagues in the majority, we operate through consensus-building.)
Malacañang and the House of Representatives recognized the new Senate majority and the leadership of acting Senate President Gatchalian on June 3 and June 4, 2026, respectively, following a quorum declared by 12 senators on June 3.
RELATED: Avelino v Cuenco: Why heated Senate bloc contest hinges on 1949 case
This followed three days of non-attendance of the Cayetano-led bloc in the Senate plenary after the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for plunder.
On June 3, Sen. Chiz Escudero appeared in the plenary, forming a quorum. The Senate cited the Supreme Court case Avelino vs. Cuenco and a precedent from a Senate plenary session in 2015.
This prompted the Senators present to vacate committee chairmanships and recognize Gatchalian as the acting Senate President.
However, this was rejected by the Cayetano bloc, which insisted on retaining committee chairmanships and maintaining leadership positions.
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