Solid Bloc 11 wants Gatchalian as next Senate president — Pangilinan

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said members of the Solid Bloc 11 are supporting Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for Senate president amid ongoing talks of another leadership change in the chamber.

Pangilinan said on Saturday, May 23, that Gatchalian has shown leadership, particularly during deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget.

"Gusto naming lahat na kabilang ng SB-11, o Solid Bloc 11, na maging Senate President si Senator Sherwin 'Win' Gatchalian," Pangilinan said in a statement posted on Facebook.

(All of us in SB-11, or Solid Bloc 11, want Sen. Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian to become Senate president.)

 "Napatunayan niya, lalo na sa mga deliberasyon para sa 2026 national budget, na kaya niyang protektahan ang pera ng bayan at matiyak na mapupunta ang pondo kung saan ito higit na kailangan," he added.

(He has proven, especially during the deliberations on the 2026 national budget, that he can protect public funds and ensure that the money goes where it is most needed.)

Pangilinan described Gatchalian as principled, capable and fair, saying the senator could unite a broader reform-oriented coalition in the Senate.

"Kung prinsipyo ang pag-uusapan, may kakayahan, matatag, at patas si Sen. Win," he said.

(When it comes to principles, Sen. Win is capable, steadfast and fair.)

Pangilininan also noted that current Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had supposedly said he could vote for Gatchalian as Senate president.

The endorsement came as Sen. Panfilo Lacson confirmed that another leadership change at the Senate is “in the works,” less than two weeks after Cayetano assumed the Senate presidency.

Speaking on One News’ “Storycon,” Lacson said the 11-member minority bloc has been discussing a possible leadership change and identified Gatchalian as a “compromise” candidate acceptable to both the majority and minority blocs.

“The compromise reached was for our preferred candidate for Senate president to be Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian,” Lacson said.

Lacson said the position of former Senate president Tito Sotto had become “somewhat untenable,” adding that Sotto himself had acknowledged it.

Despite the expected absence of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, Lacson said the minority still needs two votes to move to vacate Senate leadership posts.

He also revealed that several members of the current majority had expressed interest in joining the minority bloc, although talks failed after they backed another possible Senate president. Reports identified Sen. Francis Escudero as their preferred candidate.

“As far as the 11 members of the minority bloc are concerned, whenever we discuss this, we are unanimous on the matter. Our primordial concern is the integrity, dignity and reputation of the Senate,” Lacson said.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian said he is ready to become Senate president if given the opportunity.

“In my perspective, I have learned a lot from the Senate, especially the complicated committees. So, when ready, I’m really ready,” Gatchalian said in Filipino during an interview with dzMM.

A senator for 10 years, Gatchalian has chaired committees on economic affairs, energy, basic education, ways and means and finance.

He gained attention during hearings on illegal gaming syndicates, the Filipino citizenship-for-sale scheme linked to convicted human trafficker Alice Guo and budget deliberations, where he became known for presenting detailed charts and presentations.

During his stint as finance committee chairman, bicameral budget meetings were opened to the public and a transparency portal was established to give the media and the public access to hearing transcripts and budget documents.