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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Congressmen welcome Senate's Gatchalian era

Congressmen welcome Senate's Gatchalian era

Published Jun 4, 2026 06:17 am

At A Glance

  • Lawmakers led by House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III have welcomed Sherwin Gatchalian's rise as Acting Senate President, saying the Senate can now resume its duties with focus and integrity.
  • Reps. Leila de Lima and Perci Cendaña stressed the chamber must move forward under new leadership to tackle stalled work and restore effective governance.
  • Rep. Terry Ridon affirmed readiness for the Duterte impeachment trial as the Senate reorganized, and elected Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President.
Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)
Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)


Ranking House of Representatives members view as a positive development the latest upheaval at the Senate--which has led to the installation of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Acting Senate President.
Leading Gatchalian's well-wishers in the lower chamber was none other than House Speaker Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.
"On behalf of the House of Representatives, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Acting Senate President, Sherwin Gatchalian, on your assumption of this important responsibility," Dy said in a statement on Wednesday night, June 3.
"At a time when our nation looks to its institutions for stability and leadership, a fully functioning Senate is essential to advancing legislation, exercising oversight, and upholding democratic governance," reckoned Dy.
The Speaker expressed confidence that under Gatchalian's stewardship, the Senate "will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence, and dedication to the public interest".
"We wish Acting Senate President Gatchalian every success as he leads the chamber in addressing the challenges and opportunities before our country," Dy further said.
For her part, Senior Deputy Minority Leader Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is hopeful that the new Senate leadership help the chamber regain its footing and resume its legislative work.
She stressed that government institutions like the Senate must continue functioning effectively for the benefit of the Filipino people.
“Tulad ng anumang tanggapan ng gobyerno, hindi pwedeng paralisado ang Senado. Umaasa tayo: Sa bagong liderato, uusad at makapagtatrabaho na muli ang Senado para sa Pilipino,” De Lima, herself a former senator, said in a separate statement.
(Like any government office, the Senate cannot be paralyzed. We hope that under the new leadership, the Senate will move forward and work again for the Filipino people.)
De Lima underscored the importance of maintaining continuity in governance and ensuring that the Senate remains focused on its constitutional mandate of legislating, conducting oversight, and addressing issues affecting the public.
She has expressed optimism that the new leadership would help move the institution forward and enable senators to return their full attention to measures and concerns that directly impact the lives of Filipinos.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña. a deputy minority leader, is relieved that the Senate may now go back to work after all the stream drama-worthy intramurals.
"Hay! Sa wakas nag-finale na ang Senateflix. End na ng reign of darkness. Back to work na dapat. Daming natenggang trabaho na kailangang tapusin," Cendaña wrote on X.
(Finally, the Senateflix has ended. The reign of darkness is over. It’s time to get back to work. So many stalled tasks need to be finished.)
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming impeachment trial, echoed this "let's get to work" attitude.
"The House prosecution panel is ready to proceed to trial in July under any Senate leadership and under any presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court," he said in a Viber message to reporters.
"The prosecution remains focused on the evidence, the constitutional process, and the timely resolution of the impeachment trial. We look forward to the trial proceeding in accordance with the previously announced timelines," Ridon said.
With a quorum of 12, the Senate held a plenary session for the first time in three days on Wednesday. This session saw the apparent defection of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero from the erstwhile majority bloc to the minority bloc, which in effect became the new majority faction.
During the proceedings, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III declared all elective posts in the chamber vacant. Gatchalian was then elected the new Senate President Pro Tempore, which according to Committee on Rules Chairman Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri made the former the Acting Senate President.

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian Senate President Senate House of Representatives Faustino \"Bojie\" Dy III Leila de Lima Perci Cendaña Terry Ridon
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