Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed readiness on Friday, May 22, to assume the Senate presidency amid ongoing coup attempts in the Senate.

"Kung handa, handa talaga (If it comes to that, I’m ready)," Gatchalian said in an interview on DZMM.

Gatchalian said his 10 years in the Senate and experience leading major committees have prepared him for bigger responsibilities, citing his stint as chairperson of the committees on Economic Affairs, Energy, Basic Education, Ways and Means, and, most recently, Finance.

He said handling some of the chamber’s more complex committees allowed him to gain valuable legislative and leadership experience.

For this role, Gatchalian said that he believes in God's will at God's time.

"Ako naniniwala ako talaga dyan. Pag talaga pinlano yan sa iyo ng Diyos, dadating at dadating yan (I truly believe in that. If God really has something planned for you, it will come at the right time)," he said.

He added that the Senate must focus on restoring its dignity and public image amid growing criticism and ridicule online, noting that the chamber has recently been associated with “drama, memes, and funny videos” instead of legislation.

"At sa loob ng sampung taon ko sa Senado, ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganito (In my 10 years here in the Senate, this is the only time I've experienced this)," he said.

He admitted the institution’s reputation had been damaged, particularly following the recent shooting incident inside the Senate, which he described as among the worst episodes in the chamber’s history.

Gatchalian said those responsible for the incident must be held accountable and stressed the need to ensure similar violence would never happen again. He noted that while no civilians were hurt in the shooting, the situation could have been far worse had bystanders been hit.

Gatchalian belongs to the 11-member minority bloc that voted against the new Senate leadership under Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano was elected by 13 senators, including Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who was key to securing the coup.

Senator Erwin Tulfo said alleged coup attempts to change the Senate leadership remain ongoing, citing the slim 12-11 split in the chamber as “tempting.”