President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially recognized Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore during the 128th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park, Manila, on June 12, 2026.
This public acknowledgment marks a significant moment following a recent conflict over Senate leadership, where Gatchalian assumed his position amid claims of an illegal coup by former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano.
A Divided Senate and Competing Claims
It is clear that the leadership we support and recognize is the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
Claire Castro, Palace Press Officer
On June 3, Gatchalian's faction secured a quorum of 12 senators, enabling his installation as acting Senate president, which led to Cayetano's ousting.
Cayetano has disputed this leadership shift, labeling it an 'illegal coup d’etat' and insisting he remains the legitimate Senate president.
- Cayetano's group claims the June 3 session lacked a majority, with only 12 senators supporting Gatchalian.
- Gatchalian's supporters argue that all leadership positions were declared vacant during the session.
Political analysts note that this controversy has complicated the Senate's operational dynamics, intertwining procedural questions with issues of legitimacy.
While Cayetano proposed a power-sharing arrangement to ease tensions, Gatchalian has rejected this offer, indicating a stalemate in Senate leadership.