Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday, June 4 said he will be acting as the presiding officer of the impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Gatchalian confirmed this during a press briefing at the Senate, a day after the new majority bloc amended the rules and he was elected as the Senate President Pro Tempore and to be the acting Senate President.

His election as the Senate President Pro Tempore comes after a tense leadership change in the Upper Chamber that saw the election of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president last May 11, and his removal as Senate chief by 12 senators that now comprise the new majority bloc last Wednesday, June 3.

Along with his role as acting Senate chief, Gatchalian explained he can perform the role since technically there is no Senate president at the moment. 

“Under the rules, since the Senate president pro tempore assumes the acting president (role), we will preside the impeachment,” said Gatchalian.

However, he said he would have to consult with the clerk of court if there is a need to hold another oath-taking ceremony when the Senate impeachment court convenes.

“I will consult the clerk of court on what the procedures are. But definitely, when the trial opens, we need to take an oath,” he said. 

“So in the absence of a Senate president I can perform the duties so that administrative issues in the Senate will continue,” he said.

Moreover, he said the Senate as an institution is not weakened even with just an acting Senate president. 

“As long as the institution is moving and functioning, then it is performing its duties. 

“For now, it’s the acting Senate president,” he said.