Gatchalian becomes Senate president as Villanueva joins bloc

MANILA, Philippines (4th update, 10:22 a.m.) — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected and sworn in as Senate president on Tuesday, June 17, after the bloc recognizing his leadership secured a 13-member quorum with the attendance of Sen. Joel Villanueva at a special session.

The move serves as formal takeover of the Gatchalian-led majority after weeks of leadership deadlock with the bloc of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, whose members were absent from the session.

Sen. Miguel Zubiri moved to nominate Gatchalian as Senate president shortly after the roll call, which noted 13 senators present. No objections were raised, paving the way for Gatchalian's election.

Villanueva's appearance gave the Gatchalian bloc one more vote beyond the 12 senators who had earlier backed the reorganization. All 13 senators present came from the bloc recognizing Gatchalian's leadership.

Absentees. Not present at session was his Villanueva's former allies, Cayetano, his sister Pia Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, and siblings Camille Villar and Mark Villar.

Cayetano earlier on Wednesday conceded from his claims to Senate presidency, admitting that his bloc no longer has the numbers to allow him to remain in position. He was removed from leadership earlier this month when the bloc he leads continued a boycott of sessions, and their former member Sen. Chiz Escudero appeared on the floor, completing a 12-member quorum for Gatchalian's group.

Another of Cayetano's allies, the detained senator Jinggoy Estrada, is on 90-day preventive suspension from Senate duties as he faces graft charges in connection with the flood control controversy. 

Sen. Bato dela Rosa remains in hiding as he faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant on charges of crimes against humanity.

Context. The special session was earlier called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Proclamation 1318 to act on priority measures and appointments, including pending Commission on Appointments business and expiring promotions of senior military officers.

Marcos had been urged to order the special session while the two chambers of Congress are on a break to resolve the logjam in Senate as Cayetano continued to challenge the June 3 session that allowed his rivals to assume positions.

The House of Representatives also convened for a special session at the same time as the upper house.

New Senate officers

After Gatchalian was sworn in, Sen. Panfilo Lacson moved to nominate Senate veteran Tito Sotto as Senate president pro tempore, the post vacated by Gatchalian. Sotto was also sworn in.

Zubiri, meanwhile, took his oath as chair of the Senate rules committee. He had been appointed to the post during the Senate's last session on June 3 but had not been sworn in at the time.

Tulfo reconfirmed for Blue Ribbon. The Senate also confirmed Sen. Erwin Tulfo as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, with Sen. Kiko Pangilinan as vice chair. The panel has been tasked to take up the inquiry into the largescale embezzlement of public flood control funds.

Zubiri said all members of the new majority would sit as members of the accountability and investigations panel, except Escudero.

The Blue Ribbon Committee usually has 17 members, Zubiri explained. Aside from ex-officio members such as the Senate president pro tempore, majority leader, deputy majority leaders, minority leader and deputy minority leader are traditionally part of the powerful panel. — with Ian Laqui

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