After two straight days of cancelled plenary sessions that plunged the Senate into uncertainty, the chamber finally resumed proceedings on Wednesday, June 3, following the unexpected arrival of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

For much of the afternoon, it appeared that the Senate would once again fail to convene as senators waited for enough members to establish a quorum. The prolonged standoff had fueled questions over the chamber's ability to function amid an escalating leadership dispute.

But at around 3:20 p.m., the numbers suddenly shifted.

Escudero's arrival tipped the numbers in favor of the former minority bloc, giving it 12 senators and enough strength to move forward with the day's proceedings.

Moments later, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian took the rostrum as presiding officer and formally opened the session, ending a two-day stretch in which the Senate had been unable to conduct plenary business.

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III moved to declare all elected positions in the Senate vacant.

He then proceeded to make a motion nominating Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules.

Sotto then administered Gatchalian's oath.

Rey Bantug Jr. was again elected as Senate secretary.

Senator JV Ejercito was elected chairperson as chairperson of Senate Finance Committee.

Sotto is the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense.

Senator Panfilo Lacson will chair the Senate Committee on Public Order as well as the Committee on Accounts.

Senator Erwin Tulfo is the Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson and Social Welfare Committee chair.

Senator Raffy Tulfo regains the Senate Committee on Public Services.

Senator Bam Aquino is the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan regains the chairperson of the Agriculture Committee.

Senator Risa Hontiveros regains chairmanship of the the Senate Committee on Health.

Escudero regains chairmanship of Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.

Zubiri will chair the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The development marked a dramatic turnaround for the chamber, which had faced mounting criticism after repeated session cancellations and growing concerns over a deepening divide among senators.

In a joint statement, the new majority bloc expressed deep appreciation and commendation the "courageous" decision of Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution.

"His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else," it read.

They also stated that his presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside.

Regarding the issue of quorum, the majority bloc said that this is not an "uncharted" matter. They cited the Supreme Court, in Avelino v. Cuenco, who recognized the principle that a quorum of 12 is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate.

"There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold," the statement read.

"At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest," it added.

The majority bloc said that the Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics.

"It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people," it said.